Posts by ThemistoclesKonstantinou:
- Article on former Guards commander’s remarks withdrawn within hours
- Declaration said Iran ready to put in 130,000 men
- “We are forming a second Hezbollah in Syria”
Iran: “130,000 Iranian Fighters Ready to Enter Syria” — How Revolutionary Guards’ Revelation Was Censored
May 12th, 2014
Story Highlights
On Sunday, I noticed an article in Fars News, the Revolutionary Guards’ outlet, about a speech by former Guards commander Hassan Hamedani, in which he claimed that 130,00 members of the Basij militia were ready to enter Syria.
I set aside the comments as a bit of posturing from a retired officer, bolstering Fars’ propaganda line of Iran’s firm support for the Assad regime.
But then a twist which made me think the comments might be more significant.
The article disappeared.
A few hours after publication, Hamedani’s remarks were no longer on the Fars site. Fortunately, because of Google Cache, they have not been lost.
So what might have been so sensitive that the Revolutionary Guards’ news agency had to censor itself?
Well, there’s the 130,000 Basij remark.
The Revolutionary Guards have said since September 2012 that — as well as providing intelligence, support for reconstruction, and advice to Damascus — they were helping train a 50,000-strong Syrian militia, the National Defense Forces.
But that’s far different from training Iranian militia and sending them into the conflict. The Guards, and the rest of the regime, have always denied that Iranian fighters were on the battlefield.
And that line has held. Despite video of Iranian officers training Syrian militia and leading small-scale operations and evidence of individual military staff and volunteers killed in the conflict, there has been no confirmation of widespread involvement by Tehran’s troops.
But now Hamedani was proclaiming on Sunday, “Today we fight in Syria for interests such as the Islamic Revolution. Our defense is to the extent of the Sacred Defense.”
He mentioned the training, and then came the mysterious remark that Iran is forming a “second Hezbollah” in Syria.
Does that mean Tehran is forming an all-Syrian organization, similar to its Lebanese counterpart fostered by Iran in the 1980s, or is there direct Iranian involvement beyond some officers supervising drills and field exercises?
Hamedani also cited Iran’s role in reconstruction, but indicated this was now on formal footing: “With consideration of the heavy damages the country of Syria and its people have suffered at the hands of terrorists, (a) committee has been formed so that the Syrian people know that the Iranian people will always be with you.”
Since Sunday, there has been no retrieval in Iran of the remarks from the memory hold.
So was Hamedani merely speaking for himself?
Or was he the front man for a semi-official statement from the Revolutionary Guards — one which went too far in setting out Iran’s military as well as political intentions in Syria?
(h/t Arash Karami and Golnaz Esfandiari for translations)
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A Common tactic in an uncommon world
July 11th, 2013
By Themistocles Konstantinou.
The issue….
Few hours passed till the time when I saw in my mailbox the following article as a link and when I finished it (mean read it), I noticed something usual and common in dictatorships and authoritarian regimes: The “secretly” covered methodology to modify peaceful equipment into military equipment. That’s the obvious and on first view. But it is not exactly like this!!!!
Here is the article when I had this ascertainment (and the inspiration for the article):
“North Korea’s mobile missile launcher: made in China
The transporters used by the Korean People’s Army as mobile missile launchers were actually imported from China, according to a report released by the Sanctions Committee under the UN Security Council.
A contract was signed on Nov. 5, 2010 for a Chinese enterprise to provide six heavy off-highway vehicles to the forestry ministry of North Korea. In the contract, the vehicles were to be used to carry lumber, reports the Seoul-based Yeonhap News Agency. After the purchase, the North Korean authority modified the vehicles into mobile missile launchers, possibly violating its contract with China in the process, according to the report.
The vehicles were first displayed to the public on Apr. 15, 2012 during a military parade to celebrate the birthday of Kim Il-sung, the founding father of North Korea. When military analysts from the United States and Japan accused China of selling off mobile missile launchers to North Korea, Beijing denied it as impossible.
Selling weapons with the ability to launch nuclear missiles to North Korea is not only a violation of UN regulations, but of the policy and laws of China as well, according to a Chinese official.”
Where is the fault…..?
I will try to explain where the missing point is. At first we have to consider why states such as N. Korea, or Iran, Syria etc. acting as “thieves”. The answer is simple: Because of sanctions. That’s why. On many cases – like the above example of N. Korea – we see the rhetoric of their mentors (In our case, China) denying any involvement on the issue. After that we have to follow two options:
China’s rhetoric is true and they didn’t know anything for the modification or,
China knew it and tells lies to the rest of the world, only to cover-up the illegal action.
Let’s now take the second option – as I said before it is impossible – but as a working theory I could accept it.
The N. Koreans make the modifications and did all this change under a complete secrecy. Why they displayed these carriers to the public on Apr. 15, 2012 during the military parade, till the time they know clearly that their secret become “no secret” anymore? Why they uncover their success? Just only to attract new sanctions in their country? More sanctions against their struggled economy and their impoverished society? Or China is so stupid to release N. Korea to uncover this illegal action?
I think the answer is NO! The carriers came to N. Korea from China just as they are in their real role! As mobile missile launchers, nothing more, nothing less! I can prove it, even if I am not a missile expert, but as a former Aircraft technician I know when a nation (undergoing technological and economic isolation), it is possible to cope with such achievements. Without wishing to belittle the capabilities of the North Koreans, it is impossible without financial support to do any technological transducer without the help and support of China. Still hard to believe that its nuclear program continues to grow without the help of China, even in the early stages so that it can continue to run autonomously in the sequel.
Even if we assume that things were just as it shown and the North Koreans are doing everything on their own, relentlessly arises one question: How and where they trained? On what schools and what universities? Without resources and isolated from the rest of the world, should be addressed on the only state that sustains them almost on everything…. China!
Automatically, everyone wonders now – if ever possible that -, China did not know anything and the North Koreans doing all this literally “under the radar”!
It is NOT ONLY N. Korea….
From the above vigorous example we can understand that in the same way other regimes like N. Korea do the same, exactly the same!!! And all are patronized constantly by another stronger state or regime, with resources, with knowhow etc. etc. Where this policy meets the interests of the West, things are simple, very simple. The backed regime, receives everything it needs to serve the interests of its own and anyone who sponsor it. The same happens on the example of Korea DPR from China and South Korea from the US. The same happened with Iraq in its war with Iran. After interests changed and the U.S.
We see the Russia’s support on Assad regime, because of Russia’s strong regional interest in the area. In addition I have supported in few articles my opinion about the energy issues in the area and the obvious support of Russia in Assad. Things get complicated when the interests of big and powerful of the world, are not served. Then the would-be dictators and/or the authoritarian regimes – unless they are subject to spheres of influence – are beginning and invent ways to outweigh their weaknesses.
On the other hand we have to consider and another one option, which is not so obvious but it can be as an option: The secret cooperation between N. Korea and Iran. It is worldwide known that Iran probably trying to build nukes. I don’t want to blame Iranians but we have to accept it as hypothesis. If we want to believe that Iran needs support in his actions, has only two ways to find support. The first is Russia, but nowadays is very difficult to find this kind of support from Russians. They faced difficulties, (the Russians), also in weapon deliveries which they signed years ago through old contracts. Despite the fact that Russians have built already the nuclear energy station in “Busher”, I don’t think that Russia would like to overpass the imposed sanctions. In our case I believe that the N. Korea’s cooperation is the Iran’s one-way only option and vice-versa!
What we have to believe…
If we believe that Korea DPR has acquired know how from China, then Iran has found his best ally! Iran despite the imposed measures may have sufficient resources to continue its alleged nuclear program and the Korea DPR already has the knowledge after having already doing nuclear tests successfully. Iran wants nukes; North Korea wants resources, so their collaboration is more than a reality. That’s why both the U.S. and Israel have so many fears against Iran and Korea DPR respectively. Just for their possible cooperation, (if it is not already existed secretly), that will enable them to hit Israel and US.
The question of what we have to believe is hard and the answer becomes harder! Difficult exercise indeed! First we need to understand the psychology of leadership of the strangled regime and correspondingly the psychology of a pressed nation, stressed daily by international sanctions. Secondly we assume that the leadership of this nation has restraint not to make some unpredictable move, which will pull other nations in a dumb and unnecessary conflict that is fatal both for them and for the states that govern them. If again we assume that its leadership is capable not to lose the control, who can guarantee what will happen to its society? We see the uprising in Arab countries such as Syria, Egypt, Libya etc. etc. The situation became uncontrolled when the masses became uncontrolled. On the whole scenery we have to add and the destabilizing factor of “Al-Quaida”. Could Al-Quaida even seek to acquire nukes? Maybe yes, maybe no, who knows? Someone once had said – I don’t remember when and who did it–something very wise: “I am not afraid if a nation wants to acquire some nukes, I’m afraid someone who wants to acquire only one!”
We have to consider that nobody is guilty or innocent in our case. But the whole situation is very complicated. Western nations imposed sanctions against Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba or any other nation, and may consider that could achieve their goals, whoever they may be the targets believe that they serve. But sometimes achieve the opposite result of what they are pursuing. In most cases the whole structure of “success” collapsing with remarkable intensity. Most times though, the collapse entrainment and those who gloat about their success. Therefore special handling needs incredible attention, discernment and developing of a clean diplomacy, successful moves, sobriety without frivolities and above all, wise and brave politicians and not occasional opportunists….
Assessment on The Annual Report About Terrorism Regarding Turkey And Greece
June 30th, 2013
By Themistocles Konstantinou.
After a short look at these two reports I tried to make an assessment about the terrorism over the two countries and the overall view of the US policy in the region. I deploy the 3 parts of the overall report after the assessment as follows:
The U.S. according to standard tactic in recent years published their annual report for the global terrorism with particular reference to Europe. In the introduction, even before partially apportioned to the various European countries, what one realizes is reported separately in the Turkish organization PKK and the overall image of the terrorist attacks in Turkey. Mention is made for assaulting 5 Israelis in Bulgaria and poor activity of anarchists in Greece.
TURKEY.
U.S. officials in 2012 are summarized in a set of 226 cases in Turkey, singling out 12 cases as most important, which killed 73 people and wounded about 200 others. In operations against the PKK, according to information provided by the Turks in the U.S. and in the report for the first 10 months of 2012, we have the following tragic toll:
• 494 rebels dead and 21 wounded
• 44 arrested while 155 others surrendered to authorities.
As far as the legal framework and the number of terrorist groups, as classified by the Turkish authorities indicated the following:
The organizations that plague Turkey with their action – unless the PKK who acts primarily and operates from areas in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq and targets mainly Turkish security forces – is the far-left DHKP-C with anti-American and anti-NATO views that seeks the violent collapse of the Turkish state, the Turkish Hezbollah (unrelated to her acting in Lebanon) and some smaller inactive but which are characterized.
Regarding the legal framework in Turkey, the Americans described as inadequate by many gaps, as among other shortcomings, there is no adequate information exchange between the U.S. and Turkey. In the “money laundering” Turkey although theoretically belonged to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as an observer in the European mechanism to combat financial crimes because of shortages downgraded in 2011 and in 2012 was driven by a member until they comply and modify the legal framework governing it in combating financial crimes related to terrorism.
Finally the issue of religious extremism, Turkey tries through two programs to combat the phenomenon, while in the second program involved 66,000 Sunni imams, in order to guide the masses through their sermons.
GREECE.
As regards Greece, U.S. officials are limited to reporting minor incidents of terrorism. The
The legal framework is now a reference to adjudication hurdles of court cases due to the strike in 2012 is outlined and illegal and extensive penetration of Turkey a large number of immigrants, both from the land border and sea through the Aegean islands. They are referred to in the provision of education by U.S. police officers and Coast Guard to tackle smuggling in an effort to deal with terrorism.
In the field of economic crime, U.S. officials said the adequacy of Greece in the legal and institutional framework and are dealing with 3586 cases, but there were insufficient data for financial support of international terrorism in the country. Greece is also a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
EPILOGUE.
Having analyzed the annual report on terrorism seems clear that in Turkey the PKK is a permanent destabilizing factor, and the inadequate legal and institutional framework classifies it into one of the most difficult countries in the issue of security and the maintenance of order, especially in the southern and southeast of the country. Unlike Greece despite the problems with illegal immigration, and that because mainly responsible Turkey (due to the indifference of – at least – to prevent illegal entry to Greece various criminal and non-persons) is characterized by good “image” mainly due to the minimum and victimless cases. Greece is therefore characterized as a safe and “peaceful” country with full participation in all European and NATO ‘forums’ and organizations with very good results.
REFERENCES.
In October 2012, FATF issued a Public Statement noting that, “Given Turkey’s continued lack of progress in these two areas, as a counter-measure, the FATF has decided to suspend Turkey’s membership on February 22, 2013 unless the following conditions are met before that date: (1) Turkey adopts legislation to adequately remedy deficiencies in its terrorist financing offence; and (2) Turkey establishes an adequate legal framework for identifying and freezing terrorist assets consistent with the FATF Recommendations.”
Shock and Anger With ERT’s Closing
June 24th, 2013
Themistocles Konstantinou
Greek society was in shock Tuesday night when Simos Kedikoglou, a former state television journalist, acting as government spokesman described the broadcaster, known as ERT, as a “haven of waste”. Couple of hours before him, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras gave only a few hours’ warning when he announced he was “unplugged” ERT, the Hellenic National Broadcaster citing a need to cut this “haven of waste” and firing almost 3000 employees.
ERT had been connected with Greece’s identity the last 75 years, from 1938, 3 years before its broadcast announcers on the radio, announcing the entrance of the Nazis in 1941, the military coup of 1967, the fall of Junta in 1974, the Turkish invasion in Cyprus and recently Greece’s profound economic and social crisis.
The fact that ERT was unexpectedly shut down within a day has stunned and angered many people in Greek Capital. Mr. Antonis Samaras insists that is wasteful, inefficient with a well-known mismanagement. He forgot to mention that the manager is appointed by the competent Government’s appointing ministry and chosen by Prime Minister personally. The fired employees say that is the fault of governments and each Prime Minister’s decisions that brought in political corrupt persons and got rich on corrupt practices.
Political analysts on other Greek Broadcasters said that the closing of ERT was an “antidote” to the failure of DEPA’s selling to GAZPROM, the most drastic move to slash the country’s bloated public sector since Athens applied for a foreign bailout in 2010. DEPA is one of the most important state-controlled companies on Greece’s privatization program. This suffered a severe setback when Gazprom failed to bid for the state-controlled natural gas supplier, while only one offer was received for DESFA, which manages the Greece’s gas distribution network. Gazprom, the only bidder, had been expected to offer about €900m for a controlling stake in DEPA, following months of negotiations with the Greek government for the price of sale. The last days Gazprom withdrew the offer after the EU last week reiterated that it would block a sale to Gazprom for reasons of monopolistic behavior.
Greek Government through its spokesman Mr. Kedikoglou said that “the Greek people are paying for ERT, which has three times, even eight times, as much staff as it needs.” He added that the broadcaster suffered because of “management that lacked transparency, [excessive] benefits for its workers and spending huge amounts on external productions.”
The shutdown was a surprise for Greek society and the fragile coalition government was in disarray Wednesday, a day after the announcement. The choice of ERT’s employees as sacrificial victims led many to suspect other dark motives and led to comparisons with some communist regimes just like in Soviet era. Perhaps PM Samaras’ fragile governing coalition may lead to fall after ERT’s shutdown. PM Samaras declared this move as “symbolic” and the start of great reforms. But outside ERT’s main building every day laid off thousands of protesters, including many of the 3000 workersof the Hellenic Broadcasting Corp. The banners adorning street kiosks read, “War Over ERT” , “A Hurry Over Sudden Death,” and “An Execution to Please the “Troikans”,” a reference to the known trio of foreign employees that administer the Greek economy and the bailout money. The two unions of the country GSEE that represents the private sector employees and ADEDY representing civil servants, declared 24-hour strike last Wednesday in response to the closure of ERT. Reacting to the dismissal, on Wednesday workers at ERT continued to broadcast programs through digital television and the Internet.
With a phrase : “This is worse than the junta”, from an old man outside ERT’s main building, i want to close this article with a requiem, referring to the military dictatorship that governed Greece in the late 1960s and early 1970s. “What’s next? The Tanks in front of the Greek Parliament?”
Is Syria The End Of The Game?
June 1st, 2013
By Themistocles Konstantinou.
Syria is on an endless civil war or better, a “war game” and no-one can see when the “game” ends. And why i call this bloodshed a “game”? Because it is a “game”, … a dirty one!
It is the same as we saw in Libya (Despite the fact that in Libya is not finished yet!), or Iraq, Iran (Not yet fully played), Mali, Nigeria, Central Africa Republic, Sudan etc. etc. But what is that element, which defines the term «game»? Only one: “Recourses”. And Resources (except the geopolitical value, which is great) means “Profit”!
Why Profit?
Syria is currently the “theater” that Western nations want to “show” to the international “public opinion.” We have not be seduced by the rhetoric of Europe about the use of chemical weapons by Assad, or observance of international law etc. etc. (The “fiasco” with Carla Del Ponte is “fresh”). These are communication tricks rather than reflect the reality. The same was said many years ago for Saddam in Iraq that eventually never proved – at least not all! The propaganda has always been a weapon of the “powerful of the world”.
But we have to examine the data realistically from a different perspective: that of energy.
The whole issue has begun 5 years ago. The start has been made since the days when Russia had that conflict with Ukraine – Generally known as “Gas War” – and half of Europe been frozen because of the “pipe struggling” for many days. Closing the taps, Ukraine essentially blackmailed Europe to press Russia more on the finance issue with Ukraine. Europe will never forget the “frozen” period.
From that moment began an underground game with energy resources, in all over the world, where similar we never saw before. Neither the energy crisis with “OPEC ” in the 70s decade with the known “embargoes».
Syria under this “view” is a key pillar of Western policy in two main areas:
Satisfying Turkey which playing the game supporting Western interests and tries to take advantage of the fact to end once and for all with the Kurdish issue by upgrading it from local to international. Essentially seeking the annihilation of the Kurdish “problem” in Turkish territories. It is obvious why Abdullah Öcalan announced few weeks ago the unilateral ceasefire and general cessation of all hostilities of the militant organization Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) against Turkish military, with the encouragement of peaceful cohabitation etc. etc. He is very clever. He realized what takes place in Syria and how it is being exploited by Turkey and trying to win as many as possible he can, because he believes the whole situation serves the Turkish policy on the Kurdish issue that plagued Turkey for 3 decades. Or tried to help his people – seeing major changes in the region – to mitigate sulfate Turkish actions against them.
(We have not forget, that the Kurds are the key / ethnicity for 5 nations: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Turkey and Kurdistan. Settlement of the Kurdish issue in general, facilitate Turkey, where the degree course will help to shape the “policies” on the subject – than to pathetically accept – having acquired the right analogically because of its involvement in the Syrian crisis. In March 2005, Abdullah Öcalan issued the Declaration of Democratic Confederalism in Kurdistan[58] calling for a border-free confederation between the Kurdish regions of Eastern Turkey (called “Northwest Kurdistan” by Kurdish nationalists[59]), East Syria (“Small part of South Kurdistan”), Northern Iraq (“South Kurdistan”), and West of Iran (“East Kurdistan”). In this zone, three bodies of law would be implemented: EU law, Turkish/Syrian/Iraqi/Iranian law and Kurdish law. This perspective was included in the PKK program following the “Refoundation Congress” in April 2005.*) Already after Turkey’s demand (?), or negotiation, six PATRIOT batteries are installed in the border line with Syria on the pretext of defense from the Syrians. Some analysts – including me – believe that these modern and expensive weapons systems will not leave ever from Turkey. Turkey is a key-player on the “game” and won.
B. Second – and not so well known in the mass media – the conveying of oil and gas from the region to final destination, (the thirsty for cheap and abundant energy) Europe and without having to go through Turkey (Probably due to PKK’s dangerous actions despite the already announced unilateral truce). In essence seeking alternate solution and detox from the leader Russia. Already, Norway and the UK cannot feed sufficiently Europe (and especially Germany), but in this case the pumping cost and transfer is high. In this pattern raises the question of passage and therefore control of the territories they will pass pipelines.
We read in a very good article written in October 2012 – almost a year ago! – by F. William Engdahl with a title : «Syria, Turkey, Israel and the Greater Middle East Energy War» : “The significant question to be asked at this point is what could bind Israel, Turkey, Qatar in a form of unholy alliance on the one side, and Assad’s Syria, Iran, Russia and China on the other side, in such deadly confrontation over the political future of Syria? One answer is energy geopolitics…….. The only realistic way EU governments, from Germany to France to Italy to Spain, will be able to meet EU mandated CO2 reduction targets by 2020 is a major shift to burning gas instead of coal…….Huge gas resource discoveries in Israel, in Qatar and in Syria combined with the emergence of the EU as the world’s potentially largest natural gas consumer, combine to create the seeds of the present geopolitical clash over the Assad regime” (
http://www.shoah.org.uk/2012/10/13/syria-turkey-israel-and-the-greater-middle-east-energy-war/
The Puzzle….
Following the above we can draw the following conclusions:
Apart from the oil of «Persian Gulf», Europe seeks solutions for the transportation of natural gas from Azerbaijan and the Caspian oil generally. It does not matter who produces, since the goal is Europe not be dependent anymore from Russia. In this dimension, even
more and Iran ** is “controllable” through international sanctions that have been imposed. So the greatest importance to the issue is now where you cross the pipes to reach the European territories. The debate now shifts to who controls those territories. Syria is a key-state because it covers three main specifications:
It is politically vulnerable – thus controllable (Assad seems to bear but it is a matter of time when he and his regime will collapse or will accept to deliver Syria, ensuring a return. Already been an active engagement with Israel ‘s recent bombing and we are only at the beginning ).
Syria and its territories – in the post – Assad era – are the alternative to energy independence from Russian hegemony. (Russia is the key-ally of Assad exactly for that reason. Moscow knows that if Assad falls, loses its dominance in the game and eventually the only available military port in the Mediterranean for the Russian Navy. The mission and eve of the Russian ships in the area and the reconstruction of the Mediterranean flotilla in the area, just expressing the deep interest but also and the agony of Moscow on the developments in Syria. Assad still controls the most part of the country and his father had ceded the port of Tarsus to the Russians for many decades. The Russians don’t want any change of the status quo in the region)
Syria is at the crossroads of the Middle East with relative ease to collect the energy flows from various states with cheap cost, while considered attractive investment destination in the post – Assad era investments in gas and hydrocarbons. Finally is landlocked with development potential multiple infrastructures. ***
Through this geostrategic and geopolitical view we can say that the game now starts to become really dangerous. As everyone understands Syria proved a strong headache for the West much longer than might have been imagined. Some analysts believe that the West is trying to impose solutions that Russians will hardly accept, even with swaps from the side of the West (including Israel). Israel even if he had some objections would withdraw on them if it would provide strong exchange) Finally we should not overlook the fact, that through Syria, Iran is trying to preserve his own future and will help the Assad as he can, trying not to irritate the West.
According to related articles with characteristic titles such as: “Syria Redrawing ME Energy Map”, “The oil road through Damascus”, “Azerbaijan and Georgia: Part of the Supply Route to Syria?” or the Al-Jazeera’s most relevant “Syria’s Pipelineistan war” we can have a huge view of the Puzzle! The Question became more like this: “The Syrian conflict is the cause or the result?”
I am keen to fully support the approach in which Syria’s conflict is the result of the Europe’s need for cheap and lure resources. Syria is not a big oil and gas producer – as we mentioned before – but may determine the shape of the future regional energy map. Ronnie Blewer, in “Asia Times Online”, believes that “Middle East oil transit routes are at risk from Islamist revolutions and Iranian threats. Does Syria present an opportunity for the West to bypass the most troubling oil chokepoints? Is that a strong driver behind the West’s interest in the Syrian rebellion? Instability all along the oil road is at its highest point in decades, and Syria’s history as a perennial spoiler and location as a potential energy path cannot have been missed. “
As we see on the pictures above many plans have been made and many scenario’s about the energy role of Syria. While is not yet a key-nation in the global energy system, the Syrian conflict will have consequences in international energy markets. For this reason the ongoing conflict looks like endless and probably is. Only one can be the key-factor to end the conflict : Russia. Only If Russia decides to end it, the issue will be over. And here is the problem.
The Azeri’s gas and the Iraqi’s oil is the energy foe of Russia and a dynamic competitor….And the issue becomes more complicated! For Europe and US Assad must be down, for Russia is the opposite. Georgia and Azerbaijan – according to some media – playing another role of supporting Assad providing Fuel, weapons and cash but without proves. Claims such as these (About SOCAR sales of Azerbaijani oil products to Syria through the Georgian oil terminal of Kulevi) make the situation perplexed more than ever, despite the fact that officially the two countries support UN sanctions and West against Assad.
Epilogue
We understand now that Syria is more important as an energy crossroads (like Turkey but in lesser size…..yet) Along with the other role in Syrian conflict, Turkey remains a key factor in the area. If we see the different scenarios for Syria, we conclude that Turkey has an energy strategy where Syria is the centerpiece along with Israel’s contrary energy strategy via the Mediterranean’s gas projects. This case is another field of analysis, where we have the involvement of Cyprus, Turkey and Greece. On this, the Syria’s role is explained via the Bassar Al Assad’s plans before the Uprising (a concept introduced by him in early 2011). Last we have not forgotten and the role of big companies like BP and Chevron with their trading interests over the region. ……Just another one piece on the big puzzle…..
* Wikipedia :
** Unfortunately for Iran his fate is linked to both Syria’s and North Korea’s fate but to a lesser extent. And for this reason has been engaged in an arms race – as North Korea – because of fear that he will become the next big target. We have not to forget that Iran has vast oil reserves that are large lure. And as an end I would like to say that the future of Syria is not clear as well as that of Iran.
*** Some financial analysts argue that the pumping and transfer cost for every cubic inch of North-sea’s natural gas is 10 times more expensive the corresponding pumping and transfer cost of natural gas from Caspian Sea through Middle-east and the Mediterranean path to the hubs in Italy or Greece.
Related Links
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/NB15Ak02.html
http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=SY