There is no question that energy and profits weigh heavily on everyone’s mind. But this articles leaves out an alternative. If the war ends with Assad remaining in power and the “Islamic pipeline” being built from Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia could always build their pipeline through Jordan and Israel. Israel would send this energy to Cypress as she now expects to do with her own energy. Ted Belman
Amos Gilad: Strong Arab Sunni bloc doesn’t see Israel as enemy
PHILADELPHIA – Is the reported willingness of Arab Gulf states to fund a U.S. military campaign in Syria really about major oil and gas interests that run through the country?
The potential for trillions of dollars of energy revenue in deals that snake through Syrian territory may be a motivating factor for the U.S., Russia, Turkey and Arab states in the current Syria crisis.
Syria is a key energy transit route to Europe. A number of countries appear to be seeking dominance of the energy market that runs through Syria.
In a hearing earlier this week, Secretary of State John Kerry said Arab counties have offered to pay for any U.S. military intervention in Syria.
“With respect to Arab countries offering to bear costs and to assess, the answer is profoundly yes,” Kerry said. “They have. That offer is on the table.”
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., asked for an estimated amount the Arabs might contribute. Kerry replied that they offered to pay for a full invasion.
“In fact, some of them have said that if the United States is prepared to go do the whole thing the way we’ve done it previously in other places, they’ll carry that cost,” Kerry said. “That’s how dedicated they are at this. That’s not in the cards, and nobody’s talking about it, but they’re talking in serious ways about getting this done.”
Unmentioned are major gas and oil deals that could impact the economies of Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia enormously.
In 2011, Syria announced it had discovered a promising gas field in the city of Homs, which would later see some of the fiercest battles between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and the rebels.
Oil Minister Sufian Allawi told the state-run SANA news agency that the first wells “were in the Homs governorate and the flow rate is 400,000 cubic meters per day.”
“The discovery opens new perspectives in the region of Qalamun, and the Syrian company will continue its drilling,” said Allawi.
Beside the prospect of its own gas field, Syria is also one of the most strategic locations for natural gas pipelines to flow to Europe.
Qatar, home to the world’s largest gas field along with Iran, has proposed a gas pipeline from the Gulf to Turkey that would traverse Syria to the Mediterranean, with the gas then being shipped to Europe.
However, Assad in 2009 refused to go along with the plan, instead inking deals with Russia and Iran.
Syria is site of the proposed construction of a massive underground gas pipeline that, if completed, could drastically undercut the strategic energy power of U.S. ally Qatar and also would cut Turkey out of the pipeline flow.
Dubbed the “Islamic pipeline,” the project may ultimately favor Russia and Iran against Western energy interests.
Set to open in 2016, Iran, Iraq and Syria signed a deal in 2010 to construct the 3,480-mile natural gas pipeline connecting Iran’s South Pars field to European customers.
Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Javad Oji announced the pipeline would ultimately have the capacity to pump 3.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. He told Iran’s official Mehr News Agency the route would “pass through Iran, Iraq, Syria, the southern Lebanon territories and also through the Mediterranean basin,” with a refinery and infrastructure to be built in Damascus.
A key portion of the Islamic pipeline is concentrated on the Syrian ports, which would export directly to Europe out of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Russia has reportedly built up its naval presence along the major Syrian ports of Latakia and Tartus.
The Islamic pipeline is viewed as a major threat to Turkey, which has long desired to become the main bridge for natural gas and oil between the East and the West.
Turkey, however, is a key player in the Nabucco natural gas pipeline, which is being constructed to transit natural gas to Europe from the Central Asia and Caspian regions. The pipeline is set to traverse Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, and end in Austria. Turkey has been a key supporter of the rebels fighting Assad’s regime, while Qatar has reportedly been supplied arms and training to the rebels.
If Assad can be deposed, Turkey and Qatar would like the Nabucco pipeline to run through Syria.
Perhaps in a bid to wean Russia off of the Islamic pipeline, Saudi Arabia last month presented a plan to Moscow in which Russia would reject Syria’s president in return for a huge arms deal and a pledge to boost Russian influence in the Arab world.
Agence France-Presse reported President Vladimir Putin refused the plan in a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief, Prince Bandar bin Sultan.
Bandar reportedly proposed that Saudi Arabia buy $15 billion of weapons from Russia and invest “considerably in the country,” according to AFP.
Demonstrating that oil interests are clearly at play, AFP reported: “The Saudi prince also reassured Putin that ‘whatever regime comes after’ Assad, it will be ‘completely’ in the Saudis’ hands and will not sign any agreement allowing any Gulf country to transport its gas across Syria to Europe and compete with Russian gas exports.”
With additional research by Joshua Klein.
bernard ross Said:
Not so sure:
Liberman: Israel will have to deal with Iranian threat on its own
As Russian initiative reduces likelihood of quick US reaction to Syria’s nerve gas use, tough-talking ex-FM says Jewish state has ‘no expectations or demands from the world’
Assad doesn’t need all 1,000 tons of chemical warfare he has. He could do with 1% of that amount. Another danger that is of special interest to Israel: If the negotiation draws on, Syria can transfer and conceal at least part of its chemical arsenal and give it to Hezbollah in Lebanon. This is the worst case scenario as far as Israel is concerned, as bad as chemical weapons falling into the hands of Jihadists in Syria.
Shy Guy Said:
Is that like a spicy meatball?
Traditional cure for Doritos over-eaters.
Is that Putin??????????? Your wife is a lucky woman,my Mother always said marry a man with a good sense of humor, and I did .Shy Guy Said:
honeybee Said:
Happily, with grandkiddies!
However, I do like Doritos!
Have you been stalking me? :O
@ Shy Guy:
Are you married,who cares, I’am ready to leave Tex for you,great video. Do you look like the guy leanin on the Loblolly Pine??????????
Yamit, you got to pay 2 play!
🙂
@ bernard ross:
I have read his articles and heard him on the radio. That is the conclusion I come to. Back in the spring, he actually accused Israel of coordinating with al qaeda in Syria when Israel bombed those Syrian weapons. Sorry, but I feel the guy is sounding more like Alex Jones. I stopped listening to him. And someone who has that crackpot Michael Savage as his friend and mentor cannot be trusted. Michael Savage is a conspiracy theorist and is anti-Israel.
yamit82 Said:
I did not see BB make that statement anywhere and the link you posted gave no evidence of any statement. The conclusion was based on the following incredibly shaky premise:
BB never said it or implied it.
Further, in my view Israel does not necessarily seek to depose Assad but rather to see his govt weak in its ability to attack and inflict damage on Israel and to damage syria’s ability to damage israel in the event of attacks on Iran. This might be accomplished by the current degradation going on, by a diplomatic agreement which reduces Assads control, by fragmentation like Iraq, by an agreement to remove the chemical weapons. The destruction of air systems and WMD should be Israel’s first goal in Syria. If Obama gets his coalition this might be initiated by their strikes. On the other hand i believe everyone would like to see hexbullah destroyed and perhaps the stage will be set for their destruction in lebanon and Syria.
I believe that obama wants to attack Syria and iran because the GCC and western economic interests want it. Therefore, I believe that his delay is a result of the limitations of his abilities and/or the possibility of seeking a scenario which leads to dealing with iran also. it appears to me that the easiest way for the west/US/GCC to get what they want, re Iran, is to have Israel do it. I believe they first want to try diplomacy and covert destabilization of Syria, hezbullah and Iraq and then do the same with iran. I believe they hope to accomplish their goals through Jihad, diplomacy and sabotage and an international coalition. If an international coalition cannot be got for Syria then I believe the track will be switched to focus on Israel doing the job on Iran with the clandestine support of the GCC and US. If that does not work by 9 mos they will give israel an informal green light,with nato support, bunker busters, GCC support and UN support while continuing the GCC jihadi degradation of Syrian and hezbullah forces. if time were to allow I would not be surprised to see egyptian army become part of the battle against Syria, hezbullah and Iran. They are the potential Hessians of the GCC. Just speculating on non ideological potentialities 🙂
yamit82 Said:
No. Asked and answered.
yamit82 Said:
No. Netanyahu is full of hot air. If Obama tells him to stand down, he’ll be a good Jewish boy and obey. Never issue threats you don’t intend to carry out. Netanyahu isn’t made of the the right stuff!
@ bernard ross:
But,Darlin you listened.
Laura Said:
Any evidence for this statement? which of his Statements do you find inaccurate?
IMHO, the real crackpot conspiracy theorists are the US govt spokesmen and the MSM that parrots their lies.
For 2 years Klein said that the US were funneling arms from Libya through Turkey and Jordan in collaboration with Qatar and Saudi. He said that a saudi prince, whose name escapes me now, was helped by the CIA to make a massive arms purchase from croatia. He said that the US had a training camp in Jordan that was training “rebels” especially in anti tank missile training. He said that a US agency was receiving the names of recruits from the saudis and vetting them to make sure that they had not been prior involved in anti US attacks. He said that Benghazi was not a consul but was a CIA base which collected weapons and arranged transfers to Syria. All of these ended up being confirmed by other news agencies at much later dates and even congressmen are accepting them and calling for investigation. On the other hand you have the US spokesman including HC tell you that the Benghazi situation was the result of a video and then later on they admitted they were collecting weapons. Who is more believable or a crackpot: Aaron Klein or hillary clinton. Notice I have not even mentioned the govt ,narratives on the birth certificate, fast and furious, NSA, seal team six assassination, etc. (better stop before I run out of page). Most intelligent people who are repeatedly fed lies tend to be skeptical in the future about everything from that source.
@ bernard ross:
Remember the killer whale I sent to you,thats Obama.
yamit82 Said:
from the same article:
@ Laura:
I was speaking about oil,warm ports and gas. I could has mis-understood ,we are finally getting rain, and I was running naked through the rain with a bar of soap. The only chanch we have to shower!!!!!!!!!
I don’t believe it. Why would Bibi rather have Syria attacked than Iran?
@ honeybee:
Glen Beck is totally against going to war in Syria or any other war for that matter.
yamit82 Said:
Glen Beck argeed so much with you ,today. I thought you were whispering in his ear.
@ Shy Guy:
“Take Out Syria or We Attack Iran” – Netanyahu
Do you believe this?
Did Israel just Declare War on the United States of America? “Take Out Syria or We Attack Iran” – Netanyahu
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/02/us-syria-crisis-israel-saudi-insight-idUSBRE9810CE20130902
Israel’s response to Obama’s surprise move to delay or even possibly cancel air strikes made clear that connection: looking soft on Assad after accusing him of killing hundreds of people with chemical weapons may embolden his backers in Tehran to develop nuclear arms, Israeli officials said. And if they do, Israel may strike Iran alone, unsure Washington can be trusted.
Did Israel just Declare War on the United States of America? “Take Out Syria or We Attack Iran” – Netanyahu
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/02/us-syria-crisis-israel-saudi-insight-idUSBRE9810CE20130902
Last year, Obama assured Israelis that he would “always have Israel’s back”. Now Netanyahu is reassuring them they can manage without uncertain U.S. protection against Iran, which has called for Israel’s destruction but denies developing nuclear weapons.
“Israel’s citizens know well that we are prepared for any possible scenario,” the hawkish prime minister said. “And Israel’s citizens should also know that our enemies have very good reasons not to test our power and not to test our might.”
That may not reassure a U.S. administration which has tried to steer Netanyahu away from unilateral action against Iran that could stir yet more chaos in the already explosive Middle East.
Israel’s state-run Army Radio was more explicit: “If Obama is hesitating on the matter of Syria,” it said, “Then clearly on the question of attacking Iran, a move that is expected to be far more complicated, Obama will hesitate much more – and thus the chances Israel will have to act alone have increased.”
Israelis contrast the “red line” Netanyahu has set for how close Iran may come to nuclear weapons capability before Israel strikes with Obama’s “red line” on Assad’s use of chemical weapons – seemingly passed without U.S. military action so far.
“HEAD OF THE SNAKE”
@ bernard ross:
Insight: As Obama blinks on Syria, Israel, Saudis make common cause
Laura Said:
That’s the price for successes in and on the right wing conservative blog-spheres and talk radio. Still waiting for Glen Beck to tell us who and what can bring the American country to it’s knees. Or Matt Drudge to explain weird cryptic twitters about the end of the world is near.
Aaron Klein has turned completely into a crackpot conspiracy theorist. I no longer take him seriously. He’s being heavily influenced by his friend, the anti-Israel Michael Savage.
Shy Guy Said:
please explain and give support for this comment
Shy Guy Said:
Aaron Klein has proved to be the most accurate source of info over the last 2 years wrt Benghazi. He has long detailed the relationships of the US/saudi-Qatar(GCC)/Turkey/jordan collaboration regarding arms, mercenaries and training. Most of what he said has proven true. The MSM and many alternate sources have come on board very late. Only fools continue to believe that the US was not in collaboration with them for at least 2 years going back to the beginning of the syrian “arab spring”. If you accept the US/GCC collaboration as fact, then many other mysteries start to make sense. Klein doesn’t fill in all the gaps, provide the full story or layout all the motives but he has proven to me to be way ahead of anyone else on this issue.
Shy Guy Said:
State your evidence, basis or line of reasoning based on facts to support your statement. It might not be totally about oil and money, it might include arab(GCC) fear of iran but it certainly includes oil and money as a major part. What do you think it’s about: gas attacks,religious wars, islam, ideologies? IMHO those factors are tools, vehicles and red herrings rather than the real reasons. The GCC/ US enterprise explains many secondary and seemingly unrelated developments.(GCC=suds, qatar,etc the sunni arab monarchies)
NormanF Said:
This administration?????? O you mean Obama,silly me.
NormanF Said:
FIFY, plus a link
Shy Guy Said:
Remember why Egypt, the Saudis and Israel have no confidence in this Administration.
Shy Guy Said:
The USA is swimming oil and gas, the Dakotas and eastern Montana are booming. Obama just wants to prove he has cajones.
Ted Belman Said:
The point is that the Administration is only interested in dropping a hand grenade. It’s not about oil and gas. This is such crap, the same kind the left made up about Iraq and Afghanistan.
Or are you saying that this is why Congress might/perhaps/maybe demand a massive attack?
You need to rate your sources more seriously.
@ Shy Guy:
I don’t know that Congress is more or less likely to support a one day strike as opposed to a more meaningful strike.
Bursting Klein’s blathering bubble is John Kerry himself.
Two jokers for the price of one.