The Bridge: Natural Gas in a Redivided Europe

A Marginal Revolution Best Book of the Year Winner of the Shulman Book Prize A noted expert on Russian energy argues that despite Europe's geopolitical rivalries, natural gas and deals based on it unite Europe's nations in mutual self-interest. Three decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the breakup of the Soviet empire, the West faces a new era of East–West tensions. Any vision of a modern Russia integrated into the world economy and aligned in peaceful partnership with a reunited Europe has abruptly vanished. Two opposing narratives vie to explain the strategic future of Europe, one geopolitical and one economic, and both center on the same resource: natural gas. In The Bridge, Thane Gustafson, an expert on Russian oil and gas, argues that the political rivalries that capture the lion's share of media attention must be viewed alongside multiple business interests and differences in economic ideologies. With a dense network of pipelines linking Europe and Russia, natural gas serves as a bridge that unites the region through common interests. Tracking the economic and political role of natural gas through several countries-Russia and Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway-The Bridge details both its history and its likely future. As Gustafson suggests, there are reasons for optimism, but whether the "gas bridge" can ultimately survive mounting geopolitical tensions and environmental challenges remains to be seen.

About the Author :
Thane Gustafson is Professor of Government at Georgetown University. A widely recognized authority on Russian political economy and formerly a professor at Harvard University, he is the author of many books, notably The Bridge: Natural Gas in a Redivided Europe and Wheel of Fortune: The Battle for Oil and Power in Russia, as well as Russia 2010: And What It Means for the World (coauthored with Daniel Yergin).

Review :
Tells a story that sheds new light on postwar Europe, as well as touching on many of the most important themes of that era…A richly detailed analysis written with a relaxed, lucid style…One of Gustafson’s central themes is the way that economics have often trumped politics in the European gas trade. Tells how ingenuity, determination and the logic of commerce overcame geopolitics in a way that illuminates not only the story of a molecule, but the recent history of a whole continent. What an excellent book. Imagine somebody—in this case Thane Gustafson—taking all those snippets of gas history you used to read about and turning them into a coherent, well-written narrative…Every topic should have a book like this about it. A readable, intelligent, even-handed historical interpretation of this modern economic relationship [between Europe and Russia]. A must-read for anyone interested in energy and European or Russian political and economic history. Sets out the genesis of Russia’s gas contract with Germany—and the West—and how it yet may be blown-up by increasing geopolitical tensions. Well worth a read for those wanting more insight into the mindsets of the main actors and what might influence the flow of Russian gas to Europe in the future. Gustafson recounts the fascinating history of the rise of the Russian and European gas industries and the emergence of the Russian–European gas trade from its beginnings in the early cold war to the troubled present day…With his seminal works on the history of Soviet and Russian oil and gas, Gustafson has long established himself as the doyen in his field. The Bridge is yet another essential addition for all those interested in the modern history of fossil fuels, Russian–European economic relations, and the intriguing mechanisms underlying the Soviet/Russian decision-making process in the area of energy. A useful exploration of Europe’s energy future…Gustafson shows how the European Union has used its legal powers…to limit the ability of the Russian energy giant Gazprom to monopolize supply for the continent. He also outlines how the changing nature of the gas industry itself has shifted the balance of power. [A] seminal work on Russia’s oil and gas industry. Comprehensive analysis… By tracking the role of natural gas through several countries—Russia and Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway—The Bridge details both its history and its likely future. Makes a provocative argument that gas is less of a geostrategic/geopolitical threat and in fact contributes to long-term stability in Europe. Highly informative…By providing a detailed and comparative examination of Russian–European gas relations since the 1960s, it enables the reader to develop a broader understanding of the cooperative and conflictual nature of Russian–European relations. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive picture of the past, present and even future of Russian–European gas relations. Elegantly written by one of the world’s experts on the subject, The Bridge deftly combines narrative and analysis with Gustafson’s own distinctive perspective. It tells an important story—the development of the gas relationship between Russia and Europe, the politics around it, and the circumstances and interaction of personalities that have shaped it. Extraordinarily well-researched and well-argued, this book provides an account of the economics and geopolitics of gas in Europe over recent decades. Anyone looking for pointers on how gas will feature in Europe’s increasingly low-carbon energy mix would be well advised to read this keen analysis of the future prospects for this less-polluting fossil fuel. This compelling narrative illuminates one of the most important dimensions of Europe’s relations with Russia. The Bridge explains that Russia’s gas bridge is two-way, focusing on why, despite tense political relations and U.S. opposition, it continues to bind Russia and Europe together. This excellent book reveals the controversial and sophisticated forces driving Russian and European gas industries and trade. While we do not know whether this bridge will prevail, the outcome will be of crucial importance for the global economic and political landscape. The Bridge is an extremely fact-rich and thoroughly researched story about people, technology, and ideas within and around the European gas industry. Anyone wishing to understand and navigate the politics and business of European energy cannot ignore Gustafson’s insights. Well-researched and well-written. A very fine book.