The objective of this thesis is to analyze the US Central Eurasia Policy in the period between 1991 and 2006. Within this context, the purpose is to figure out the foremost motive behind the US&rsquo / s strategic engagement in the region with a due regard to changing geopolitical context with the demise of the Soviet Union. The main argument rests upon the assumption that the US regional policy is primarily motivated by geopolitical imperatives as the Central Eurasian region becomes the primary springboard for the attainment of global supremacy. Within this respect, energy is only one aspect of the ongoing geopolitical competition. That the geopolitical priorities are preponderant to geoeconomic interests are basically observed by the intense geostrategic struggle over dominating the prospective oil and gas pipelines from the region. Eventually, within the confines of this thesis, it is deduced that the ultimate parameters of the geopolitical struggle, the framework of which was specified by the United States, have revealed themselves more explicitly in the aftermath of the September 11, which only reinforced the strategic significance of Central Eurasia in coping with the new geopolitical fault lines of the 21st century. Within this regard, Central Eurasia has transformed into an implicit geostrategic standoff between the United States on the one hand, and Russia and China on the other. Accordingly, the fact that the United States could by no means remain complacent about the fate of Central Eurasia against such a backdrop of high geopolitical fluidity in the overall Eurasian continent is most relevant to the possibility of rising potential aspirants for global dominance that would challenge the United States in the long term.

This thesis analyzes Russian foreign policy towards Azerbaijan in the post-Soviet era. The dissolution of the Soviet Union paved the way for the independence of Azerbaijan. This development necessitated the redefinition of the relationship between Russia and Azerbaijan. However, post-Soviet Russia was reluctant to treat Azerbaijan as a fully independent state that could develop its relations other states freely. In this way, Moscow sought to keep Azerbaijan under its own sphere of influence. To this purpose, Russia used its influence in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the development of the Caspian Sea energy resources as its two main policy instruments for controlling Azerbaijan. When Vladimir Putin was elected as the President of Russia in 2000, it was not clear whether the previous Russian foreign policy towards Azerbaijan would continue as in the past or change. The developments between 2000 and 2005 show that Vladimir Putin changed the previous Russian stance on the Caspian Sea energy resources and took more collaborative posture towards Azerbaijan. However, Putin continued the earlier Russian position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This study argues that there has been both change and continuity in Russian foreign policy towards Azerbaijan since Vladimir Putin&rsquo / s rise to Russia&rsquo / s presidency in 2000. In this sense, Russian foreign policy under Putin could be conceptualized mainly as a pragmatic foreign policy. This conceptualization makes it possible to identify both change and continuity in Russian foreign policy towards Azerbaijan.

Originally presented as the author's Thesis (doctoral)--Université Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne), 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (v. 2, p. 233-270).

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Köln, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 308-344).

Ciidae is a fairly homogenous family of mycetobiont, mycetophagous beetles (Coleoptera, infraorder Cucujiformia), with a worldwide distribution and about 750 described species. They have a body length of 0.5‒7 mm, a mostly uniform colouration from light brown to almost black, and usually a fairly cylindrical body shape. The knowledge on the taxonomy, morphology, phylogenetic relationships, geographic distribution (faunistics), and ecology of Ciidae is quite fragmentary. Part I of the thesis provides the first detailed study of head morphology (by scanning electron microscopy) in a Ciidae species: Cis chinensis. Many new structural elements are detected and named to ease their use in more sophisticated forthcoming taxonomic work. Most head characters are compared with Ciidae from genera Ennearthron, Octotemnus, Ropalodontus, and Xylographus, with a focus on the area between compound eye and buccal cavity. This revealed a great uniformity, with a near-identical structuring of subantennal groove, margin of buccal cavity, anterior tentorial pit, and first antennomere (scapus). A comparison with Tenebrio molitor from the closely related Tenebrionidae (data from the literature) revealed great similarity, but also differences in some characters, such as the absence of a subantennal groove. Part II presents the first study of the Ciidae fauna of the Caspian (or Hyrcanian) Forest of northern Iran, a region known to have conserved much pre-Pleistocene fauna and flora. In 2010‒2018, Ciidae were sampled in 62 localities across the Iranian provinces Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golistan, from below sea level on the Caspian Sea southern coast up to near 2000 m a.s.l. on the northern slopes of the Alborz Mountains. 19 Ciidae species were identified in the basidiomes of 31 species of bracket fungi (Basidiomycetes: mainly Polyporales, Hymenochaetales, and Russulales-Stereaceae). For all Ciidae species taxonomically relevant morphological features are described and illustrated; the distribution over collecting localities and occurrence in host fungus species are given. An identification key for the species of the area is given. The identification of species is discussed, as well as some morphological characters and their systematic implications, the distribution and ecology of the individual species (especially the pest species Cis chinensis), the evidence from overall patterns with regard to geographic and elevational distribution and fungus host ranges, and evidence on possible faunal links. No previously undescribed Ciidae species was found, but most species are new for Iran. Illustrations are provided for morphological characters, distribution in the area (maps), and coexistence of species (column diagrams).:Abstract 7 Kurzfassung 7 Key words 8 List of figures and tables 9 List of abbreviations 13 Introduction to Ciidae 16 Taxonomy and systematics of Ciidae 16 Ecology and faunistics of Ciidae 19 Part I: External Head Morphology of Cis chinensis 22 1. Introduction to head morphology of Ciidae 22 2. Material and methods 22 2.1. Specimens 22 2.2. Pictorial documentation 23 2.3. Terminology 23 2.4. Morphological directions 23 2.5. Abbreviations 24 3. Description of head of Cis chinensis 24 3.1. Sexes and male morphs 24 3.2. Head capsule 24 3.3. Clypeus, labrum and epipharynx 26 3.4. Mandibles 27 3.5. Maxillae 28 3.6. Labium and hypopharynx 29 3.7. Antennae 30 4. Discussion of head morphology 32 4.1. Notes on morphological terms and interpretations 32 4.2. Comparison with some other Ciidae 35 4.3. Comparison with Tenebrio molitor (Tenebrionidae) 37 Part II: Ciidae in Caspian-Hyrcanian Forest in Northern Iran 50 1. Introduction to Caspian-Hyrcanian forest 50 1.1. Geography of the Caspian Forest 50 1.2. History and significance of the Caspian Forest 51 1.3. Climate of the Caspian Forest 51 1.4. Geographic relationships of the Caspian Forest 51 1.5. Trees of the Caspian Forest 52 1.6. Fungi of the Caspian Forest 52 1.7. Ciidae of the Caspian Forest 53 2. Material and methods 53 2.1. Area covered and collecting localities 53 2.2. Collecting of Ciidae 54 2.3. Morphological preparation and pictorial documentation 54 2.4. Processing of images 54 2.5. Identification of fungus species 55 2.6. Identification of Ciidae species 55 2.7. Morphological data and terminologies 56 2.8. Abbreviations 56 3. Results on Ciidae in Caspian Forest 56 3.1. Survey of observed Ciidae species and their systematics 56 3.2. Survey of observed host fungus species and their systematics 59 3.3. Morphology and distinguishing characters of Ciidae 60 3.4. Results on Cis chinensis 69 3.5. Results on Cis submicans 71 3.6. Results on Cis comptus 73 3.7. Results on Cis striatulus 75 3.8. Results on Cis tomentosus 77 3.9. Results on Cis reitteri 79 3.10. Results on Cis castaneus 81 3.11. Results on Cis lugowoji 83 3.12. Results on Cis fissicollis 85 3.13. Results on Cis festivus 87 3.14. Results on Ennearthron cornutum 88 3.15. Results on Orthocis reflexicollis 90 3.16. Results on Strigocis bicornis 92 3.17. Results on Sulcacis fronticornis 94 3.18. Results on Sulcacis nitidus 96 3.19. Results on Ropalodontus baudueri 97 3.20. Results on Ropalodontus perrini 99 3.21. Results on Octotemnus rugosopunctatus 101 3.22. Results on Xylographus bostrichoides 104 3.23. Identification key to Ciidae of Caspian Forest 106 4. Discussion of Ciidae in Caspian Forest 109 4.1. Taxonomic distinctions 109 4.1.1. Cis multidentatus species group: Cis chinensis 109 4.1.2. Cis boleti species group: Cis submicans 110 4.1.3. Cis comptus species group: Cis comptus and Cis striatulus 110 4.1.4. Cis punctulatus species group: Cis tomentosus and Cis reitteri 111 4.1.5. Cis castaneus species group: Cis castaneus and Cis lugowoji 112 4.1.6. Cis fissicollis (not assigned to a species group) 113 4.1.7. Cis festivus species group: Cis festivus 113 4.1.8. Genus Ennearthron: Ennearthron cornutum 114 4.1.9. Genus Orthocis: Orthocis reflexicollis 114 4.1.10. Genus Strigocis: Strigocis bicornis 114 4.1.11. Genus Sulcacis: Sulcacis fronticornis and S. nitidus 115 4.1.12. Genus Ropalodontus: Ropalodontus baudueri and R. perrini 115 4.1.13. Genus Octotemnus: Octotemnus rugosopunctatus 115 4.1.14. Genus Xylographus: Xylographus bostrichoides 116 4.2. Morphological characters and systematic implications 116 4.2.1. Sensillifers of antennal club 116 4.2.2. Fovea on 1st abdominal ventrite 116 4.2.3. Cephalofoveae on forehead 117 4.3. Distribution and ecology of individual species 117 4.3.1. Distribution and ecology of Cis chinensis 118 4.3.2. Distribution and ecology of Cis submicans 122 4.3.3. Distribution and ecology of Cis comptus 122 4.3.4. Distribution and ecology of Cis striatulus 123 4.3.5. Distribution and ecology of Cis tomentosus 123 4.3.6. Distribution and ecology of Cis reitteri 124 4.3.7. Distribution and ecology of Cis castaneus 124 4.3.8. Distribution and ecology of Cis lugowoji 124 4.3.9. Distribution and ecology of Cis fissicollis 125 4.3.10. Distribution and ecology of Cis festivus 125 4.3.11. Distribution and ecology of Ennearthron cornutum 125 4.3.12. Distribution and ecology of Orthocis reflexicollis 126 4.3.13. Distribution and ecology of Strigocis bicornis 126 4.3.14. Distribution and ecology of Sulcacis fronticornis 127 4.3.15. Distribution and ecology of Sulcacis nitidus 127 4.3.16. Distribution and ecology of Ropalodontus baudueri 128 4.3.17. Distribution and ecology of Ropalodontus perrini 128 4.3.18. Distribution and ecology of Octotemnus rugosopunctatus 129 4.3.19. Distribution and ecology of Xylographus bostrichoides 129 4.4. Overview of distribution ranges 130 4.5. Overview of elevation ranges 131 4.6. Overview of fungus host ranges 132 4.7. Ciidae fauna of the wider region 136 4.8. Faunal links and dispersal of Ciidae of Caspian Forest 137 Acknowledgements 250 References 251 Appendix: Collecting data, host fungi, co-occurrence 257

This thesis focuses on the discussion of the diversifying natural gas imports into the European Union and the role played by the Caspian region in this respect. The aim of the thesis is to describe the European Union's energy policy in the natural gas sector and to analyze the role of Caspian natural gas and the project of the Southern Gas Corridor. The question of relevance of the Caspian natural gas for strengthening the European Union's energy security comes along at the right time in the current debate on the further development of climate and energy policy. The policy, along with the draft framework for the creation of the Energy Union of 2015, integrates previously parallel European policies related to fight against climate change, energy security, internal energy market and external energy relations with third countries. The thesis is based on the hypothesis that the Caspian region is an alternative resource region capable of providing a diversification of natural gas imports to the European Union. The basic research questions are the following; "Is the European Union capable of influencing the conditions under which Caspian gas will be transported to Europe?" and "Is the Southern Gas Corridor capable of meeting the expectations of its planned volume of 60-120 billion cubic meters of natural...

Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) and double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) nest in large colonies on East Sand Island in the Columbia River estuary, the largest known colonies for the two species in the world. Both species of piscivorous colonial waterbirds have been identified as predators with a significant impact on the survival of juvenile salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.) listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. To better understand and address issues related to seabird-fisheries interactions in the Columbia River estuary, I conducted studies related to the ecology, conservation, and management of these two species of piscivorous waterbirds. I evaluated the demographics and inter-colony movements of Caspian terns belonging to the Pacific Coast metapopulation, with special emphasis on two breeding colonies, one on East Sand Island in the Columbia River estuary and the other on Crescent Island in the mid-Columbia River, based on re-sightings of color-banded individuals. Apparent annual adult survival at both colonies was high, and age at first reproduction was greater than previously reported for the species. Colony site philopatry of breeding adults at both colonies was high; however, some individuals prospected for breeding colonies over much of the Pacific Coast region and moved to other colonies over distances of up to 3,000 km. Some terns from the large colony in the Columbia River estuary responded quickly to the availability of new colony sites as distant as 550 km from the estuary, and established successful breeding colonies within less than a year of the new sites becoming available. The Caspian tern colony on East Sand Island appears to be an important source colony for a number of smaller, less productive colonies distributed over an extensive area from the Salton Sea, California to the Copper River Delta, Alaska, an area with limited and ephemeral nesting opportunities. Environmental contaminants have been a conservation concern for wildlife in the Columbia River estuary, especially species that consume fish and are therefore likely to bioaccumulate persistent organic pollutants. I measured and compared levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in eggs and chicks of Caspian terns and doublecrested cormorants, as well as their primary prey fish types, at colonies on East Sand Island and farther up-river. Based on differences in tern and cormorant diet composition at the various study colonies, higher PCB levels in eggs and chicks were associated with diets dominated by resident freshwater and estuarine fishes. PCB levels in prey fish were positively correlated with lipid content; however, PCB levels in the livers of chicks were negatively correlated with chick fat scores, suggesting that chick fat reserves are a sink for ingested PCBs. Lower PCB levels in terns and cormorants from East Sand Island compared to colonies farther up-river reflected diets with a higher proportion of marine forage fishes at East Sand Island; marine forage fishes had lower average levels of PCBs than their resident freshwater and estuarine counterparts. In order to explore non-destructive techniques for managing nesting colonies of double-crested cormorants, I evaluated habitat enhancement and social attraction, two techniques that have proven effective for relocating Caspian tern colonies to sites where impacts on fish stocks of conservation concern would be minimal. Cormorants were attracted to nest and successfully raised young at test plots on East Sand Island and on islands in the estuary with a previous history of cormorant nesting or unsuccessful nesting attempts. On an island with no history of cormorant nesting or prospecting, however, no cormorants were attracted to nest. My results suggest that attraction of nesting cormorants using these techniques is dependent on the previous history of cormorant nesting or nesting attempts, the frequency and intensity of disturbance by potential predators, and the presence of breeding cormorants nearby. While habitat enhancement and social attraction have potential as methods for redistributing nesting cormorants away from areas where fish stocks of concern are highly susceptible to predation, successful establishment of new colonies using these techniques will likely require a focus on sites with a history of cormorant nesting. Findings from this dissertation raise some concerns over the management of Caspian tern and double-crested cormorant colonies on East Sand Island in order to redistribute parts of these colonies to alternative sites and mitigate the impact of those piscivorous colonial waterbirds on ESA-listed salmonids. East Sand Island has supported source colonies of piscivorous colonial waterbirds for many smaller colonies throughout the region and is close to an abundant and relatively uncontaminated food supply. Also, alternative colony sites that can substitute for East Sand Island are not readily apparent, especially for double-crested cormorants. Therefore, management of Caspian tern and double-crested cormorant colonies on East Sand Island to benefit Columbia Basin salmonids needs to proceed cautiously and reversibly because of the implications for the region-wide populations of these piscivorous colonial waterbirds. / Graduation date: 2012

La convergence entre l'Arabie et l'Eurasie est accommodée à l'intérieur du territoire iranien. Nous présentons des champs de vitesse GPS denses couvrant une grande partie de l'Iran (Zagros, block de Lut et Kopeh Dagh) avec des précisions meilleures que 2 mm/an.<br />Dans le Zagros, la convergence est accommodée par du partitionnement dans la partie nord. 2-4 mm/an de décrochement dextre sur la MRF sont transférés sur les failles de Dena, Kazerun et Kareh Bas dans le système de failles de Kazerun, se déplaçant à 3-4 mm/an chacune. Dans le Zagros Central, 8 mm/an de raccourcissement sont concentrés près du Golf Persique, contrastant avec une sismicité plus distribuée et indiquant un découplage de la déformation superficielle du socle.<br />A l'est de l'Iran, entre le block central Iranien et le block de Hellmand, 14 mm/an de cisaillement dextre orienté NS sont observés au travers du block de Lut, avec 6.5 mm/an absorbés à l'ouest (failles de Bam, Gowk et Sabzevaran) et 7.5 mm/an à l'est (zone de suture de Sistan). Des failles majeures senestres orientées EW au nord du block de Lut accommodent une partie du cisaillement (Dasht-e-Bayaz 1.5 mm/an, Doruneh 2.5 mm/an). Au sud de la chaîne du Kopeh Dagh 8 mm/an de cisaillement persistent, dont 3.5 et 2.5 mm/an sont absorbés par du raccourcissement NS dans le Binalud et l'est Kopeh Dagh, 5 mm/an par du décrochement dextre au travers le système de failles de Quchan, et 5-8 mm/an par l'expulsion du basin Sud Caspien vers l'ouest.<br />La comparaison des taux de glissement actuels avec des taux géologiques court et long terme montre une évolution complexe des activités des failles même dans le contexte de collision continental récente de l'Iran.

The Azeri, Chirag, Gunashli (ACG) field is located offshore Azerbaijan. The reservoirs are multilayered sandstones forming traps within a major anticlinal structure. Proven crude oil reserves are estimated to contain 5.4 billion barrels of oil. In the past this area has been studied in regional detail but not at the reservoir scale with respect to the fluvio-deltaic sediments filling the northern shore of the ancient South Caspian Sea. The aim of this study is carried out the sedimentological, cyclostratigraphical analysis and reservoir characterization of Balakhany X Formation within the Productive Series which is considered to be one of the significant producing horizons. To be able to achieve this objective, a 30m thick section, which is mainly composed of siliciclastics, has been studied in detail on Balakhany X cores from C01 well Azeri field. In this study, detailed lithofacies analyses were performed and sandstone, mudstone, siltstone facies were recognized in the studied interval of the Balakhany X Formation. Litharenites and sublitharenites sandstones are the most abundant in the succession. Sedimentological analysis such as grain-size sphericity, provenance, XRD, SEM and grain surface texture were performed and their relationship with depositional environment were discussed. The grain size distribution of the samples along the succession shows distribution of fine to very fine sands. Sorting of sandstones ranges between moderately well to very well sorted. The provenance analysis of sandstones based on modal analysis of thin sections related to recycled orogen. According to interpretation of grain size parameters and grain surface textures analysis the main transporting agent of sands observed as wind, wave and river agents. High resolution cyclostratigraphy studies based on cm-m scaled cyclic occurrences of lithofacies along the measured section were performed. Milankovitch, sub-Milankovitch and millennial cycles were determined along the studied section. The petrophysical analysis revealed good to very good (18 to 24%) porosity and good permeability (10 to 538mD) in Balakhany X Formation. The porosity and permeability are affected by both textural and compositional controls. Grain size distribution along the reservoir section is fine to very fine sands. Influence of compaction was observed by the fractures and dissolutions on the sand grains. The calcite cement, grain-size variation, sorting and compaction are the main factors controlling porosity and permeability.

The role of economic theory in the preservation of nature in Kazakhstan is very current, because mining industry in this country is quite large and it is a considerable burden for the environment. This burden is obvious mostly in extraction and processing of crude oil. The main aim of this thesis is the analysis of state environmental policy with the focus on prevention of oil spills in the Caspian Sea in accordance with "State concept of ecological safety in Kazakhstan in 2004-2015" and also methods of oil spills removal as tools for environment protection including factual techniques and firm based costs linked to the removal of oil spills. Thesis will also include the comparison of effectiveness of existing models for oil spills removal used by companies in Kazakhstan. The first part of work is methodologically based on analysis of secondary sources: scientific articles and literature, ecology bulletins, official data of Ministry of environment in Kazakhstan, firm based data and "State concept of ecological safety".