TURKEY AND EUROPE

ENERGY IS THE REASON EUROPE IS STILL BACKING ERDOGAN

A lot of people in EUROPE are wondering why political leaders on the continent seem to be ready to agree with whatever TURKISH President RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN says, and do anything he demands. Many resent ERDOGAN’S hand-twisting approach to the migrant crisis and worry about TURKEY turning into a dictatorship, plain and simple.

Now, the attempted coup by the TURKISH military has become the latest event to highlight TURKEY’S major role in the global energy market and the implications of any political shakeup in the country for this same market.

The BOSPHORUS is where around 3 percent of daily global crude oil shipments pass, or some 3 million barrels. This may not be a lot in percentage terms, but for EUROPE it accounts for well over a quarter of its total crude oil imports. EUROPE imported 1.559 billion barrels from the former SOVIET UNION last year, or an average of 4 million barrels daily, according to EUROPEAN Commission figures.

TURKEY - A MAJOR HUB FOR OIL AND GAS COMING FROM THE MIDDLE EAST AND CENTRAL ASIA

Besides the BOSPHORUS, TURKEY is also home to two pipelines for CASPIAN and IRAQI crude, as well as the Southern Gas Corridor, which should provide EUROPE with an alternative source of natural gas in hopes of undermining the leading position of RUSSIA’S Gazprom on the EUROPEAN market.

There is also the CEYHAN port, TURKEY’S main crude export terminal. This is where the two pipelines from AZERBAIJAN and IRAQ end up, and this is also allegedly where a lot of ISIS oil ends up. In short, TURKEY is already a major hub for oil and gas coming from the MIDDLE EAST and CENTRAL ASIA, and its importance in this respect will only grow as new projects—especially gas projects—come online.

Then there is the SYRIAN war, and TURKEY’S vested interest in it in light of plans for a pipeline that would carry gas from QATAR to TURKEY, and from there, on to EUROPE. This pipeline would serve the geopolitical interests of SAUDI ARABIA, helping it to get the upper hand over IRAN, which, now that most of the economic sanctions against it have been lifted, is eager to return to the global energy market. It would also, some would argue, serve U.S. geopolitical interests by once again undermining RUSSIA’S dominance as gas supplier to the EUROPEAN continent.

IRAN-IRAQ: PIPELINE TO SYRIA UPS ANTE IN PROXY WAR WITH QATAR

IRAQ’S agreement to allow IRAN to build a pipeline through its territory and on to SYRIA is in direct competition with QATAR’S similar designs for a SYRIA pipeline that would connect to TURKEY. This pipeline is another proxy in the SYRIAN conflict theater and Iran’s response to its loss of ground here. It is also a sign of IRAN’S growing foothold in IRAQ. QATAR will respond in kind.

The IRAQI Cabinet green lighted IRAN’S $10 billion pipeline project, which will supply gas from the South Pars field (which is the largest in the world, and which, as mentioned above, it shares with QATAR) to SYRIA and beyond to other export markets. There is talk of extending the pipeline to LEBANON.

The first part of the pipeline—some 225 kilometers—through IRAQ will reportedly be completed in June 2013. The pipeline will connect the southern IRANIAN port of Assolouyeh to IRAQ and then to SYRIA—for now. It will have a 110 million cubic meter/day capacity. The plan is to give IRAQ 20 million cubic meters/day of IRANIAN gas for its power plants, with 20-25 million cubic meters/day going to SYRIA. Source: http://news.az/articles/iran/41175

TURKEYS AND EUROPE’S GEOPOLITICAL INTERESTS ARE LARGELY OVERLAPPING

These geopolitical interests largely overlap with EUROPEAN ones. The EUROPEAN UNION (EU) has made it abundantly clear that it wants a variety of energy supply sources. Natural gas is especially important as a cleaner and cheaper alternative to crude. Europe will need more gas in the years to come, and it doesn’t want it to come from RUSSIA—or at least not so much of it.

This is why EUROPE is tip-toeing around ERDOGAN; and this is why EUROPEAN leaders seem to dance to any tune ANKARA’S boss plays. That’s also why EUROPEAN leaders were not too enthusiastic when the attempted coup failed, despite official declarations in support of ERDOGAN’S government.

ERDOGAN - THE NEW MASTER OF THE EUROPEAN GAS TAP

They did have enough dignity left to warn him to watch himself when dealing with the coup plotters; yet one cannot help but ask: what is EUROPE going to do if ERDOGAN decides to re-introduce the death penalty, especially for them? What is it going to do if he uses the coup to further curb civil rights and cement himself at the helm? Refuse to admit TURKEY into the EUROPEAN UNION? Not a big deal as far as ERDOGAN and his vision of a new imperial TURKEY that dominates the region are concerned.

ERDOGAN will in all likelihood be the new master of the EUROPEAN gas tap. It’s ironic how democratic EUROPE seems to be forever dependent on dictators for its energy, at least until it goes fully renewable, which is not going to happen any time soon.

By Irina Slav via Oilprice.com

Background Information: Click on title to read entire report

SYRIA – QATAR PIPELINE

NEW ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST REGIME IN SYRIA IN ORDER TO REACTIVATE SAUDI ARABIA’S AND USA ARAMCO TRANS ARABIAN OIL PIPELINE?

IS THE TRANS ARABIAN PIPELINE “TAPLINE” THE ANSWER TO THE WHY THE WAR IN SYRIA WAGES?

Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring wrote in January 2012:

GEO STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF IRAN’S NATURAL RESOURCES AND GAS PIPELINE DEAL BETWEEN IRAN SYRIA AND IRAQ and

REACTIVATE SAUDI ARABIA’S AND USA ARAMCO TRANS ARABIAN OIL PIPELINE?

SAUDI ARABIA ON THE BRINK OF REGIME CHANGE?

IS SAUDI ARABIA REALLY AT THE BRINK OF A 

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DOWNFALL?

It seems that SAUDI ARABIA has started to undergo the transformation various experts predicted. Those became obvious when the sitting king SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD replaced his deceased elder brother ABDULLAH BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD in January 2015, and made a number of quite unusual arrangements within the ruling elite, appointing the head of the Ministry of Interior MUHAMMAD BIN NAYEF from ABDULLAH’S clan the Crown Prince, while his 33-year-old son MOHAMMAD BIN SALMAN AL SAUDFROM the SUDAIRY clan received the appointment of Deputy Crown Prince.

Background Information:

SAUDI ARABIA: THE NEXT GEOPOLITICAL TSUNAMI?

Even back then it was clear that within a short period of time the king would try to hand over all power in the country to his own son by sidestepping MUHAMMAD BIN NAYEF, while he himself would retire due to Alzheimer’s disease, becoming sort of a “king-father” with no real power, but with the right to an advisory vote on important decisions. Needless to say, it’s a direct violation of the tradition of succession to the throne from brother to brother that has been in place in SAUDI ARABIA that is going to be replaced by the father-to-son succession. To make such a transition one should be able to carry out a coup d’etat or win the approval of the succession board, which is formed according to different sources by 7 or 11 members of the AL SAUD dynasty.

QUARREL INSIDE THE HOUSE SAUD BECOMES STRONGER AMIDST ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

Now it seems that the wheels of the political machine are moving again. Recent reports from RIYADH indicated that his disease is taking a toll on the king and he wants to renounce his reign in favor of the Crown Prince. But then neighboring states, especially QATAR and the UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, started hinting that the members of the SAUDI royal family along with the sheikhs of the strongest tribes, which are the foundation of AL SAUD’S rule, are extremely dissatisfied with the sharp deterioration of the economic and social situation in the country, leading to a major drop in their personal incomes. It is no secret that RIYADH increased the volume of oil production to weaken the positions of its main competitors – RUSSIA, IRAN and VENEZUELA. But the kingdom had to take a punch as well, it was forced to unseal its reserve fund and cut the funding of numerous social programs.

GEOPOLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CHESS GAME AMONG SAUDI ARABIA, IRAN, RUSSIA, SYRIA AND IRAQ

And then came the execution of 47 Shia public figures, including the popular human rights activist NIMR BAQIR AL-NIMR. The executions were designed as a form of retaliation to IRAN and HEZBOLLAH for the help they have provided to the SYRIAN people in the fight against pro-SAUDI militants.

Background Information:

click here: SAUDI’S STRATEGIC EASTERN PROVINCE

This step provoked massive unrest in the SHIA areas of the kingdom, the areas that produce the better part of all SAUDI oil. The country has found itself on the brink of a civil war and a military conflict with IRAN at the same time, which has also provoked major discontent in the West. After all, the West needs a politically loyal IRAN, a country in which huge investments can be made, especially in oil and gas sectors, in order to push RUSSIAN out of the EUROPEAN gas market and the international oil markets at the same time. In this context TEHRAN is forced to carry on relying on MOSCOW in the confrontation with SAUDI ARABIA to ensure its safety and continue providing military assistance to SYRIA, IRAQ and SHIA rebels in YEMEN.

SAUDI KING TO RENOUNCE HIS THRONE TO HIS SON, MOHAMMAD BIN SALMAN AL SAUD

Now the highly respected Institute for GULF AFFAIRS is stating that the king of SAUDI ARABIA SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD is preparing to renounce the throne in favor of his son MOHAMMAD BIN SALMAN AL SAUD, and has since brought his country to the brink of a disaster.

It means that the 80-year-old SALMAN is trying desperately hard to persuade his brothers on the succession board to allow him to change the principle of succession of the SAUDI throne, since he’s ready to leave, but not so ready for his nephew MOHAMMAD BIN SALMAN AL SAUD to rule the country.

Storm clouds over Mecca Image by: Amr Abdallah Dalsh / REUTERS

What the king has been doing is allegedly done “only for the sake of the stability of the kingdom.” Although the reality of the situation is clear – should SALMAN retain his position, the disintegration of the kingdom is imminent, with certain Shia areas breaking away, while the regions on the border with YEMEN which are mostly populated by YEMENI tribes, more than happy to return home. Moreover, the Minister of Interior used to be a habitual cocaine user, so he was only able to “produce” two daughters, and now he’s somewhat incapable of producing more children. Should the king manage to carry out the above described scheme, he will become the first SAUDI monarch to leave the throne to his son.

HAVE FALLING OIL PRICES REALLY STRUCK SAUDI ARABIA AT ITS HEART?

And the fact that there’s a growing crisis in SAUDI ARABIA was evident from the cuts in subsidies and bonuses that king SALMAN started at the beginning of this year to reduce the country’s total dependence on oil. After decades of extensive use of oil revenues to subsidize companies’ payment of generous salaries and providing enormous social benefits, falling oil prices struck SAUDI ARABIA at its heart.

It’s enough to say that revenues from oil exports in 2015 alone dropped by half. Ultimately it’s hard to say which country suffers the most from these oil wars – RUSSIA OR SAUDI ARABIA, since the latter has virtually no other sectors to support the economy. SAUDI economist TURKI FADAAK believes that SAUDI ARABIA is exiting the policy of “universal welfare”, so there’s an ongoing psychological shift in the minds of the ruling elite of the state. FADAAK is convinced that the ultimate aim of king SALMAN’S measures is to eliminate the SAUDI dependency on oil. But is it really? According to leading international experts – the answer is a resounding “no”, with all the arguments to the contrary nothing more than fantasy.

Although initially it seemed that SALMAN, who came to power after the death of his brother, King ABDULLAH, will continue his course, after assuming the throne SALMAN generously spent over 30 billion dollars from the budget on bonuses for civil servants, military personnel, and students. Additionally, prices for basic goods and services, including fuel, electricity and water prices were kept at extremely low levels due to government subsidies from oil revenues. However, due to falling oil prices, under the pressure of such costs the budget started to rupture. The most important thing now for the kingdom is to execute the transition from the extremely lavish social security system to a productive economy, but then the subjects of the king will be forced to cut their costs, and it looks that they do not agree with this notion. And accusations in the imminent economic collapse will go SALMAN’S way, so it is better for him to leave now, before protests even start.

CHANGE IN TACTICS

It is curious that SAUDI ARABIA has been rather realistic about its budget for the year 2016, since it was based on the average price of oil keeping at the level 29 dollars per barrel. Last year, the SAUDI budget deficit amounted to almost 98 billion dollars and the costs were considerably higher than it was originally planned due to bonuses for civil servants, military personnel and retirees. In 2016 the authorities decided to put up to 49 billion dollars into a special fund to provide funding for the most important projects in case oil prices drop even further. But it was SAUDI ARABIA back in 2014 that proposed new tactics for OPEC, which implied that there would be no cuts in the level of production, the tactics that drove oil prices to today’s levels.

So we are to learn pretty soon should RIYADH choose the path of the utter and complete collapse of the kingdom, or the path of giving power to the young and pragmatic technocrats who are going to pursue a comprehensive oil policy. Either way, SAUDI ARABIA will be forced to put an end to the costly military adventures in SYRIA and YEMEN as well as its confrontations with RUSSIA and IRAN.

By Peter Lvov via New Eastern Outlook

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (BIH) – Part 2

Egyptians  fighting Wahhabi's 

“WHEN WILL WE HAVE THE NEXT WAR?”

Wahhabis with billions dollars to spend and the inactivity of the international community spreads fear in BIH.

"What do you think, when will the next war start?" The question of the taxi driver at the SARAJEVO Airport comes as a surprised. The BOSNIAN war, which was waged from 1992 till 1995 has cost the life of almost 100,000 people, and now another war is looming over BIH?

The man is not the only one who is afraid. A site inspection in the capital SARAJEVO showcases a worrying scenario. With SWASTIKAS graffiti, fascist USTASHA CROATS provoke fellow MUSLIM citizens. RADICAL MUSLIMS in return pay homage to the terrorist militia "ISLAMIC STATE" (IS). Rumors about alleged terrorist camps in BOSNIA confuse and worry the public. Propaganda and mutual tattling dominate everyday life in nowadays BIH. The atmosphere, even after 20 years since the war’s end, still seems poisoned.  

(Due to the rough and partly unpopulated terrain of the north eastern part of the country and the high mountains in the south east, BIH is the ideal breeding ground for undetectable terrorist camps, as has been proven in past and present.)

ARABS ARE NOW THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN THE COUNTRY

In addition to the roughly 3.8 million BOSNIAKS, CROATS and SERBS now comes a new conflict party:  ARABIAN WAHHABIS. BIH is currently the scene of an unprecedented wave of investment by SHEIKHS of the ARABIAN PENINSULA. Investors from SAUDI ARABIA, QATAR and KUWAIT are buying large amount of land, erecting entire cities and by now are the largest employers in the country.

WAHHABISM - RADICAL DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

The WAHHABIS have proved an undeniable urge for proselytizing, as activities of the "SAUDI HIGH COMMISSION" soon after the war have proven. WAHABIS expect of their employees to follow their rigorous doctrine of salvation, and extreme dress codes.

Recently opened the first Arab-funded resort in Bosnia Osenik,
50 kms south of Sarajevo, with 160 individual houses
and apartments built around an artificial lake. (AP/Amel Emric)

Until recently WAHHABIS have not been considered to play a significant roll or threat to the 2.5 million extremely moderate BOSNIAN MUSLIMS. According to estimates by the BOSNIAN Interior Ministry the number of WAHHABIS operating in BIH are not "more than 5000". This figure however can change rather quickly now.  In TRNOVO, where a tourist city for 40,000 people is currently being constructed, the Investor from the EMIRATES announced to provide employment for 10,000 locals. This means that this project alone could triple the number of the BOSNIAN WAHHABI community.

BOSNIANS FEAR AN ECONOMIC COERCIVE PROSELYTIZING

Only with the utmost efforts, were the BOSNIAKS able to get rid of the “holy warriors” associated with AL QAEDA, who had come to fight for BIH during the war.  Yet with the large amount of influx of SUNNI billionaires such task will not be as easy as was the case after the war.  BOSNIANS fear an economic coercive proselytizing. 

In front of the KING FAHD MOSQUE a merchant mentions that an "invisible line" runs through the mosques. "On the one side are the WAHHABI, on the other side us moderate BOSNIAKS. We do not talk to each other. But we know that they hate us."

This sparks rumors. One of the most persisting rumors is that in the town of GRADACAC, WAHHABI converts receive 400 dollars a month. There is no proof. But the Internet portal VESTI is certain that the money comes from SAUDI ARABIA. (According to Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring sources, SAUDI ARABIA is indeed one of the main provider of funds for WAHHABIS operating in BIH and that this practices are not rumors but reality)  

Background Information: RADICAL ISLAM IN BIH

ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM ATTHE DOORSTEPS OF EUROPE (2012)

ORIGIN OF WAHHABISM

BOSNIA: ISLAM ANDNATIONALISM (2013)

INFLUENTIAL ISLAMICCOMMUNITY IN BOSNIA (2012)

WAHHABISM IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE BREEDING GROUND FOR ISLAMIST TERRORISM.

Cells with links to terrorist militia IS were located in GORNJA MAOCA, ZENICA, BIHAC and BRCKO. The BOSNIAN intelligence service OSA and the BIH police of the otherwise barely functioning state, in an joint effort managed to gain full control of the villages in question and arrested prominent WAHHABI leaders with the support of police liaison officers from GERMANY and AUSTRIA as well as their respective intelligence services.

House in BIH - IS insignia 

Nevertheless, suspicion and mistrust remains against BIH authorities. "There will be a point when us moderate MUSLIMS will have to eat pork in public and drink alcohol to prove the authorities that we are not SALAFI, but “good” MUSLIMS. But this cannot be the solution to the problem," a young woman complains to a reporter from the “Kurier”, an AUSTRIAN daily newspaper.

LOOMING MILITARY CONFLICT ON THE BALKANS?

This development is “grease to the wheels” of the charismatic President of the REPUBLIKA SRBSKA - MILORAD DODIK and his propaganda machine. The SERB leader, who on a regular base, threatens to separate from BIH, allegedly knows of a secret ARABIAN plan to settle 500,000 WAHHABIS in BIH.

But even more renowned politicians, such as the AUSTRIAN Foreign Minister SEBASTIAN KURZ, recently warned of ISLAMIST tendencies in context to the growing influence of SAUDI ARABIA and TURKEY in the region.

Even GERMAN Chancellor ANGELA MERKEL warned of a looming military conflict on the BALKANS. She was referring to disavowals between BALKAN countries in regards to the current refugee crisis.

To reiterate ANGELA MERKEL, former UN representative for BIH, PADDY ASHDOWN, in early November 2015 reprimanded the international community because of their inaction on BALKAN issues: "Only a madman cannot notice the storm clouds looming over the BALKANS"

On the other hand one should not forget that BOSNIA, ALBANIA and KOSOVO are considered to be countries of retreat for FUNDAMENTALIST ISLAMIC groups, thus provoking instability within the BALKANS would be counterproductive for these entities.

Adapted and translated from German to English by Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring, from the original article written by Wilhelm Theuretsbacher which appeared in the Austrian daily “Kurier”. 

RUSSIA AND QATAR

WHY QATAR WANTS “TO MAKE FRIENDS” WITH RUSSIA

As it has been reported, the leaders of the International Union of Muslim Scholars drafted an open letter, stating that they “share a positive attitude towards the RUSSIAN Federation, which supports the ARABS and MUSLIMS today.” 
Moreover, the letter states that if any decision is to be made in relation to the RUSSIAN Federation, those making the decision must first consult RUSSIA’S Islamic theologians. The letter is truly unique, in fact, it says that the International Union of Muslim Scholars supports the actions of the RUSSIAN authorities in SYRIA. 
If there is at least a couple of sincere words in this letter, then means a lot, especially if one is to remember that the headquarters of this organization are located in DOHA – the capital of QATAR, a WAHHABI state. Moreover, the letter states that the fate of BASHAR AL-ASSAD should be decided by the SYRIAN people themselves.

Background Information:

QATAR RUNS COVERT DESERT TRAINING CAMP FOR ‘MODERATE’ SYRIAN REBELS

http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com.ar/2014/11/qatar-runs-covert-desert-training-camp.html

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF MUSLIM SCHOLARS INFLUENCE REACHES INTO NORTHER CAUCASUS AND VOLGA REGIONS

It would be an understatement to say that it’s an unusual step, since this International Union is one of the most influential and authoritative Muslim organization in the world that brings together SUNNI MUSLIMS, SHIA MUSLIMS, and even IBADI MUSLIM, that are generally residing in OMAN. There’s at least 90 thousands of prominent Muslim scholars to be found in the ranks of this Union, including more than 40 of the most authoritative RUSSIAN theologians – those are muftis and rectors of the Islamic institutions of the NORTH CAUCASUS and VOLGA regions. So, it’s a truly influential organization.

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF MUSLIM SCHOLARS TIES TO THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD

But one thing should be remembered all along – the president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars is YUSUF AL-QARADAWI, and he’s the spiritual and ideological leader of the MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD, which remain the largest association of radical Islamists in the whole world. In 1963 the then president of EGYPT GAMAL ABDEL NASSER expelled YUSUF AL-QARADAWI from EGYPT for attempts to undermine the ruling regime. But the radical scholar wasn’t wondering the world for long, since he found refuge in QATAR – the WAHHABI emirate.

Background Information:

QATAR AND THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD

http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com.ar/2013/07/qatar-and-muslim-brotherhood.html

CREATING A SALAFIST STATELET IN SYRIA FOR QATAR-TURKEY PIPELINE TO EU

http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com.ar/2015/10/turkeys-syrian-strategy.html

BROTHERHOOD GURU YUSUF AL-QARADAWI’S

http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com.ar/2012/07/sunni-versus-shia-middle-easts-new.html

YUSUF AL-QARADAWI was the spiritual leader and the ideological mastermind of all the Arab “revolutions” – EGYPTIAN, LIBYAN, SYRIAN and YEMENI. It was he, together with the former Prime Minister of QATAR HAMAD BIN JASSIM, to organize in 2011 an assault on the RUSSIAN ambassador to DOHA, since RUSSIA’S envoy exposed his vicious policies of encouraging the Arab revolutions.

Largely due QARADAWI’S influence on the former emir of QATAR, that now has been surpassed by the influence he has on the sitting Emir TAMIM BIN HAMAD AL THANI, DOHA has been fomenting and financing the wave of the ARAB “Springs” and, despite all the recent changes in the situation in SYRIA, it continues supporting the terrorist group that goes under the name JABHAT AL-NUSRA. What is curious is that after RUSSIAN intervention in SYRIA SHEIKH YUSUF urged MUSLIMS around the world to wage a “JIHAD” against RUSSIA, and now we witness a complete reversal of his policies.

QATARI TRACE IN THE TERRORIST ATTACK AGAINST THE RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT OVER SINAI

Many analysts have immediately noted that we are witnessing an incredibly positive phenomenon, almost a complete change QARADAWI’S mentality. But is there any change at all? It’s obvious that a leopard cannot change its spots.

The question is what lies behind this step? The answer is pretty simple – the State of QATAR has finally understood that the retribution for its ongoing support of international terrorism is inevitable. It’s been clear all along that there’s a QATARI trace in the terrorist attack against the RUSSIAN aircraft over SINAI, that claimed the lives of 224. Even if QATARI security services were not planning this attack, in any case, it was carried out by the groups that have been sponsored by QATAR. 
This may lead to sanctions against the WAHHABI state, since the financial support of terrorism is a direct violation of a number of UN conventions. And then, the terrorist attack over SINAI was followed by the attack on FRANCE, which resulted in 132 people being killed. There’s a growing number of calls being voiced across the world to establish an international tribunal to prosecute ISIL and its sponsors, and QATAR and SAUDI ARABIA have been pretty active in the support they provided to those.

QATARI INSURANCE POLICY

It was not a coincidence that on November 18 RUSSIA’S President VLADIMIR PUTIN signed a decree, according to which a special commission is going to be assembled to collect information about individuals and groups that have been supporting international terrorists. Moreover, this commission will have the right to demand this information from authorities of foreign countries. All funds and property that such individuals or groups have been using to assist terrorists will thereby be arrested.

Therefore, the ruling QATARI family decided to get itself some form of worst-case scenario insurance, staring with pushing QARADAWI to draft a letter in support of RUSSIA and its actions. This letter will soon be followed by attempts to show MOSCOW that QATAR shares “a deep understanding” of RUSSIA’S position on SYRIA. After all, if the leaders of ISIL, JABHAT AL-NUSRA, JAISH AL-FATH, and JAISH AL-ISLAM are going to be caught and brought to justice, they can testify against the countries and organizations that were directly involved in sponsoring crimes against SYRIA, IRAQ, FRANCE, and RUSSIAN. And then a long list of QATARI officials and prominent scholars will inevitably be tried and sentenced.

Background Information:

QATAR RUNS COVERT DESERT TRAINING CAMP FOR ‘MODERATE’ SYRIAN REBELS

http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com.ar/2014/11/qatar-runs-covert-desert-training-camp.html

There’s only one problem: in addition to QATAR and SAUDI ARABIA, which, in principle, are not hard to punish, there’s countries like the US, UK, TURKEY, JORDAN and others that supported terrorists too. Some US senators, including JOHN MCCAIN met with the leaders of radical groups personally. The CIA and the Pentagon have been supplying them with weapons and trained their militants to create an “opposition” to the elected SYRIAN government. TURKEY and JORDAN provided their territory to deploy training camps, while allowing weapons and terrorists to flow into SYRIA across their territories. But there’s no prosecution of the UNITED STATES officials due to the fact we are talking about one of the two major nuclear powers in the world. ENGLAND will be protected from prosecution by WASHINGTON, since it’s a permanent member of the UN Security, while TURKEY and SAUDI ARABIA play a “special” role in WASHINGTON’S policies. But nothing prevents AMERICAN officials from throwing a dwarf emirate under the bus. The ruling dynasty will simply be replaced by a republican system of government in the process of “democratization” of the MIDDLE EAST.

ONCE AGAIN – IT’S THE ENERGY EQUATION

There’s no scenario in which MOSCOW should believe that QATAR may change its ways. The emirate maintains its support of ISIL and other terrorist groups in SYRIA and IRAQ, and wages an economic war against RUSSIA’S interests buy flooding EUROPEAN markets with its cheap LNG supplies. On top of all, the investigation in the downing of the RUSSIAN Airbus in EGYPT should establish who really was behind it.

Background Information:

QATAR AT ODDS WITH RUSSIA OVER ITS STANCE ON SYRIA? OR IS IT ABOUT DOMINATING THE GAS ENERGY MARKETS?

http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/04/qatars-great-power-games.html

DOHA – was and is opposed to the RUSSIAN Federation, and will remain so until it stands trial for the crimes allegedly committed against RUSSIA, including the sponsoring of the terrorist uprising in CHECHNYA 20 years ago.

If WESTERN countries are to prevent QATAR from being prosecuted, should its involvement in the downing of RUSSIA’S Airbus be established, MOSCOW can proceed with responding, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, that grants the right to self-defense in case of “an act of war” being committed.

Adapted by Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring from the article originally written by Peter Lvov, for New Eastern Outlook