While America Dithers on ISIS, Russia Expands its´Role in the Mid East
As the United States footprint becomes diminished in the Middle East, Russia is aggressively stepping in to take up the void. This was highlighted in a 9 JUN ´15 NEC-SE article on how Russia uses economic deals to expand its influence in the Middle East and the Caucuses. As Greece is looking at defaulting on its loan to European Community and possibly pulling out of the Euro it invested $2 bn in Turkish Stream.
The article also stated: "This pipeline has been negotiated and fought over since 2007. The reality is that even when no one in EU is helping Greece the Greeks have invested in the pipeline given their Orthodox ties with Russia." "Given the results of the Turkish elections Turkey will have no choice but to allow the pipeline to move through the Turkish Straights. Turkey will enjoy short term profits from the deal but will lose out in the long run politically given Russia is closer to Iran who is becoming a regional hegemony over Turkey."
"Russia bypasses Azerbaijan and nullifies the influences of the Baku pipeline over the next ten years as it consolidates the caucuses loyalties away from the U.S. diminishing our economic footprint in the region and pulling two major NATO allies in the Middle East closer to it economically."
On 23 JUN 15 NEC-SE posted the article on Saudi and Russian meeting in St. Petersburg where the Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince – and Defense Minister – Muhammad bin Salman, favorite son of King Salman; Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (former ambassador to the US and very close to key players in the Beltway); and all-powerful Oil Minister Ali al-Naim, were all there for a face-to-face with President Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum.
Russia will solidify its grip economically in the region by being the middle man on economic agreements that will allow it to establish itself in the Mediterranean and control gas and oil agreements that will counter what is seen as a U.S footprint in the Caucuses.
Russia will solidify its grip economically in the region by being the middle man on economic agreements that will allow it to establish itself in the Mediterranean and control gas and oil agreements that will counter what is seen as a U.S footprint in the Caucuses.
When I was in Tokyo on 23 FEB 15 I stated that the Middle East is not just dealing with ideological battles being carried out in the region but also economic struggles shaping it as well. These struggles will affect the Euro´s ability to influence how ISIS is handled over the next five years.
About author: US Army Lt. Colonel (ret.) Sargis Sangari is the Founder of The United Assyrian Appeal & CEO of The Near East Center for Strategic Engagement LLC . He had six years of continuous combat deployment in the Mid-East. While in theatre he conducted 144 combat patrols, 22 Special Forces missions and survived 7 IED attacks. Born in Iran within an ethnic Assyrian family, Sangari has a deep skill set in Middle East languages and cultures and understands the plight of Assyrian and other Mid-Eastern Christians. He now uses his 20-year military experience to advise Assyrian Christians in their struggle against ISIS and in the region.
About author: US Army Lt. Colonel (ret.) Sargis Sangari is the Founder of The United Assyrian Appeal & CEO of The Near East Center for Strategic Engagement LLC . He had six years of continuous combat deployment in the Mid-East. While in theatre he conducted 144 combat patrols, 22 Special Forces missions and survived 7 IED attacks. Born in Iran within an ethnic Assyrian family, Sangari has a deep skill set in Middle East languages and cultures and understands the plight of Assyrian and other Mid-Eastern Christians. He now uses his 20-year military experience to advise Assyrian Christians in their struggle against ISIS and in the region.
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