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The Bridge: Natural Gas in a Redivided Europe
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.
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.
520 pages, Hardcover
First published January 7, 2020
18 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Thane Gustafson
20 books16 followersThane Gustafson is Professor of Government at Georgetown University and Executive Director of IHS Markit. His books include Crisis amid Plenty: The Politics of Soviet Energy under Brezhnev and Gorbachev, Capitalism Russian-Style, and Wheel of Fortune: The Battle for Oil and Power in Russia.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 16, 2020
Overall a really good book. The first half of the book though, could be compressed. The second half of the book is very well written, very informative, and goes into just the right level of detail. Enjoyed the book.
March 19, 2023
Educational on history of gas in Europe, and has good story-telling. A bit repetitive, especially in the latter half. Thane Gustafson is clearly an expert on the subject and digs out elusive historical angles that add a lot of context. He does however have a certain narrative that he’s actively trying to impose on the reader, not by elaborate arguments but via repetition (e.g. a minute detail that neo-liberalism originated in US/UK was repeated almost every 50 pages). These occasional subjective observations should be taken with a pinch of salt but overall do not ruin the experience
August 30, 2020
A well researched book about the story, status and future of gas industry and its implication on overall energy policy.
As the share of gas consumption is expected to only increase from 20 to 25 per cent in the future, establishing, negotiating and managing contracts as well as waging exploration is important for political stability.
Where in part influenced by national righty for prestige - something that formed both the onset of USSR export into W Germany and the exploration programs in Siberia, European infatuation with methane started amid the competitive drive of Austria vs Netherlands and subsequent North Sea exploration championed by Norway.
Where gas reliance spelled doom on other reforms in the Union, it also allowed lights and heat in Russian cities in early 90ies.
Where market reforms could split Gazprom into numerous entities, liberal market reformers showed their Communism colours and stood against.
Where management of Gazprom sought pieces for itself, new management loyal not to the industry but to new president of Russia and sharing the experience of working together in St Petersburg, reversed the privatisation and turned the monopoly in a good quasi state aiding national foreign policy agenda.
A good book.
As the share of gas consumption is expected to only increase from 20 to 25 per cent in the future, establishing, negotiating and managing contracts as well as waging exploration is important for political stability.
Where in part influenced by national righty for prestige - something that formed both the onset of USSR export into W Germany and the exploration programs in Siberia, European infatuation with methane started amid the competitive drive of Austria vs Netherlands and subsequent North Sea exploration championed by Norway.
Where gas reliance spelled doom on other reforms in the Union, it also allowed lights and heat in Russian cities in early 90ies.
Where market reforms could split Gazprom into numerous entities, liberal market reformers showed their Communism colours and stood against.
Where management of Gazprom sought pieces for itself, new management loyal not to the industry but to new president of Russia and sharing the experience of working together in St Petersburg, reversed the privatisation and turned the monopoly in a good quasi state aiding national foreign policy agenda.
A good book.
September 10, 2023
Sooooo dense. A super ambitious book. In fact, it could have been three books but I can see why the author wrote it as one. He is trying to make a case for how important Russian/Europe energy relationships are and he gives a very detailed history of this. This was written before the war in Ukraine and before the sabotage of the Nord Stream Pipeline but it provides important context to those things.
He makes the case that the gas industry between Russia and Europe is a combination of politics and market forces and that it is extremely complex. He does not extend his analysis far beyond these borders, although he does warn what Chinese and U.S. influence can and has had on this relationship. There are not really bad guys in this book. It's a history of people acting sometimes for the good of their people, sometimes for self enrichment, and often making market decisions that either do or don't work out. One Russian gas executive coined a term that he says that has become a part of Russian language that is something like this: "We wanted the best but it turned out like always."
He makes the case that the gas industry between Russia and Europe is a combination of politics and market forces and that it is extremely complex. He does not extend his analysis far beyond these borders, although he does warn what Chinese and U.S. influence can and has had on this relationship. There are not really bad guys in this book. It's a history of people acting sometimes for the good of their people, sometimes for self enrichment, and often making market decisions that either do or don't work out. One Russian gas executive coined a term that he says that has become a part of Russian language that is something like this: "We wanted the best but it turned out like always."
November 8, 2021
Essential book if one wants to understand Soviet Union/Russia-EU/Germany energy relations from economic and geopolitical point of view. Important points: For Russia gas and Gazprom will always be of geopolitical importance, thus always assuring Kremlin intervention in strategic decisions; for Germany, the gas dependency will likely increase at least until mid-century since last nuclear plant will be decommissioned end-2022, renewables are increasing, but slowly and there will be more pressure on coal from environmentalists, but gas sources are diversifying and prices have liberalised immensely; the status of goal as a "transitional" fossil fuel is still in doubt, the pressure is growing on the gas industry to position itself vis-a-vis traditional fossil fuels and renewables.
February 7, 2022
An extremely comprehensive overview of all things gas in Europe and Russia. As a layman it will quickly become clear that Gustafson is one of the leading researchers on this topic. As a well of knowledge, it could be argued he offers too much at times, with Gustafson entering into the minutest of details and storylines to back up his history and arguments. A must read for anyone who wants to truly dive into this important topic, but perhaps not the first recommendation for those who want to gain a quick bird's-eye perspective of the role natural gas has played in Europe the past 50 years.
February 4, 2020
Another governmental drone and his belief in "unity". Stalin's dream is not dead.
June 15, 2020
Weirdly fascinating.
October 12, 2023
Very interesting reading but quite detailed. It could be compressed
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews