Syria? WTF is so important about it that it's possibly worth starting WW III over??

[Scataphagos]

The main thing this episode demonstrates is how NATO is now outdated and serves to endanger us. Europe is completely capable of protecting themselves. They would just prefer that we spend ourselves into oblivion doing it for them, while they export expensive cars to us.

Much truth!

 

[ETcallhome]

I agree with scat. It's the flash point for the sunni/shia battle, but why does that concern us? Because Obama has made a mess of it, with ridiculous threats of red lines, etc that he promptly ignored? Because Putin has come to the aid of his ally, to devastating effect? Because it is so important to our national interest to drive out the current dictator, an iran ally, and replace him with ISIS thugs?

The only threat to any vital interest of the US is the reckless actions of a supposed NATO ally, Turkey. Turkey once was the model secular muslim state but now is under the grip of the sort of repressive islamist thugs that obama tried to get into power in Egypt. Turkey is openly aiding our enemy ISIS and bombing our allies, the kurds. Yet we are under a treaty obligation to support them if they manage to blunder into a shooting war with Russia. Great, just great.

The main thing this episode demonstrates is how NATO is now outdated and serves to endanger us. Europe is completely capable of protecting themselves. They would just prefer that we spend ourselves into oblivion doing it for them, while they export expensive cars to us.

Not so sure I want to leave world peace in the hands of the French.

 

[Tsing Tao]

Covertibility has it right. It's been about a gas pipeline for a long time now.

 

[Piptaker]

I don't get it... Isn't it just another "patch of sand in the ME populated by muslim, rag-head camel shaggers"?

Somebody, please, enlighten me.

They have been friends and close allies for decades

There's a proposed gas pipeline that I think was supposed to go through Syria from Iran (hence why Iran is back on board with the US) that would supply Europe and threaten Gazprom's(russian gas company) Market share

 

[ipatent]

The Iran option could take it from the Iran side of the Gulf directly into Turkey, or into the Gazprom system through the Caucasus.

The Syrian option would take it from the Qatar side of the Gulf through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Turkey.

Syria isn't going to be safe for a gas pipeline for a long time. Looks like the decision to invade Iraq is going to force Europe closer to Iran by necessity.

 

[Piptaker]

Also, Russia seems determined to establish itself again as a major super power and they obviously see energy as key hence their big moves in the ME now as well as whats been happening and has happened in the Ukraine and Georgia .

I think the expansion of NATO into the former Russian regions has also been seen as an aggressive move by the US to encircle Russia especially after former US presidents promised NATO non expansion in those areas.

 

[ETcallhome]

Also, Russia seems determined to establish itself again as a major super power and they obviously see energy as key hence their big moves in the ME now as well as whats been happening and has happened in the Ukraine and Georgia .

I think the expansion of NATO into the former Russian regions has also been seen as an aggressive move by the US to encircle Russia especially after former US presidents promised NATO non expansion in those areas.

yeah well, rank yourself by population. Russia is way down there with about 150 million. China gets the Blue Ribbon with India on their heels. It aint easy to feed a billion people. 350 million seems to be just about right. If after all these years with all your resources you only have 150 million you must be doing something wrong.

 

[ipatent]

Also, Russia seems determined to establish itself again as a major super power and they obviously see energy as key hence their big moves in the ME now as well as whats been happening and has happened in the Ukraine and Georgia .

I think the expansion of NATO into the former Russian regions has also been seen as an aggressive move by the US to encircle Russia especially after former US presidents promised NATO non expansion in those areas.

Their gas resources are their biggest foreign policy leverage versus Western Europe and a big source of cash. They don't want competition.

 

[ETcallhome]

Their gas resources are their biggest foreign policy leverage versus Western Europe and a big source of cash. They don't want competition.

sorry, I must have been hungover that morning in Econ 101. Now just who is it and why do they want competition?

 

[Piptaker]

Their gas resources are their biggest foreign policy leverage versus Western Europe and a big source of cash. They don't want competition.

Yes, probably why the Nord stream pipeline to europe is so controversial, think the major player in the agreement was Germany