3rd side to “Syrian war”
The Syrian war often seems like a big complex mess and honestly not many people know about why this is happening.
So, lets un-complex it!
To put it simply in 4 words its about
billion-dollar gas pipeline.
Factor in this detail and suddenly the war begins to make more sense.
How?
Russia is the current supplier of gas to Europe which is used for heating, cooking, fuel and other activities. In fact 80 per cent of the gas that Russian state-controlled company Gazprom produces is sold to Europe, so maintaining this crucial market and hold over Europe is very important to Russia.
Russia uses its power over gas as political leverage which is very evident from the past. Also, Russia have gone to the extreme level of waging a war with European countries like Georgia just to make a loud statement to stop export of gas from middle eastern countries.
As David Dalton, the editor of the Economist Intelligence Unit, told The Newyork times:“Russia has always used gas as an instrument of influence. The more you owe Gazprom, the more they think they can turn the screws.”
Hence, USA doesn't like Russia having its influence over Europe and wanted to change this.
Also, Europe doesn’t like being so reliant on Russia for natural gas and has been trying to find alternative solutions eversince.
Obviously Russia couldn't stand still and do nothing while Europe tries to find an alternative.
Solution
Qatar owns about two-thirds of the gas field located 3 Km below the Persian Gulf floor which is believed to be the largest natural gas field in the world. But it can’t monetize it completely as its supply is mostly relied on tankers to deliver it to other countries and this makes its gas more expensive than Russia’s.
The other one third is owned by Iran.
These two countries saw this as a great business opportunity and proposed two pipeline plans from middle east to Europe. Sadly, this is where Syria comes in play as the pipeline passes through Syria in both the plans as shown below.
Syrian President Bashar al Assad refused to give permission for this particular pipeline plan of Qatar to go through his territory for unknown reasons.
Qatar hosts US air base and clearly Russia might have used its influence to make Syria deny this pipeline plan.
But he approved the second pipeline plan that Iran proposed and since USA has no significant influence on Iran, president Assad has Russia’s blessing’s this time which led to the approval of the second plan.
President Assad signed off on the Iran plan in 2012 and it was supposed to be completed in 2016 but it was ultimately delayed because of the Arab Spring and the civil war.
Many countries supporting or opposing the war against Assad have links to these pipeline plans mainly USA who doesn't want to give Russia the power in Europe which is ultimately going to happen if the Iran’s pipeline is completed.
In the end its all about positioning themselves in the chain of power is what matters to the dominant countries like USA and Russia.
All in all it is the always the common people who suffer the atrocities.
Next article “My first day in France”
Stay tuned :)
