Their goal in the Middle east is to secure distribution around the Caspian basin.

The Caspian Basin is a system of basins and platforms.

There is an incredible amount of it there, more than in the Caspian Basin.

Enormous amounts of oil and gas are beginning to flow out of the Caspian basin.

The oil in the Caspian basin is estimated to be worth over US $12 trillion.

In color they are not unlike the chocolate clays of the Caspian basin, their age is also close to the latter (15 ka).

Exploration in the Caspian Basin and Siberia became more cost effective.

This may give Europe direct access to the energy resources of the Caspian basin via the Nabucco pipeline.

A senior American official drew a direct link between the exploitation of oil resources in the Caspian Basin and prospects for stability.

You suggest there may be a trade-off between stimulating oil production in the Caspian Basin and encouragement of democracy there.