Metsfanmax wrote:patches70 wrote:
So our choices are aid Iraq and by extension Iran with whom the two countries are allied in all but name and face a major set back in Syria, or side with the Salafists and sweep aside the Shia dominated government of Iraq and rebuff Iran. Which causes obvious problems of their own.
Why is it harmful to US interests if ISIS were to falter in Syria? Does it really matter one way or the other to us who wins there? (Serious questions, I don't know much about this.)
Oh, Mets, I for one don't think it would matter one hill of beans what happens in Syria. But there is something else in play over there. Something Juan Bottom got all uptight about.
Qatar has the largest natgas reserves
in the world. US companies have pumped some $10 billion or so in the last decade building up Qatar's capability in natgas exportation and exploitation. So all they need now is customers.
Qatar's position and lack of pipelines anywhere hinders her ability to export natgas cheaply. She has to move the stuff via tanker overland and by tanker via the sea.
So to increase the capability of exportation, over a decade ago it was decided how it would be done. Pipelines were built through nations. Part of the reason why Iraq was important was because the Qatar pipeline had to go through Iraq, and Sadaam wasn't playing ball.
The very first thing the new Iraq government did after Sadaam was to approve and finish those pipelines.
You see the Qatar pipelines need to hook up in Turkey so Qatar can move their natgas to Europe.
The pipelines are all finished, except for one last leg.
Through Syria.
Assad had previously agreed to allow the pipeline to come through Syria, but after talking with Russia Assad reneged on the deal. Very soon after the insurgency started. Coincidence? Hardly.
Qatar was pissed. The US companies that had invested billions were pissed, they need that line to go through to recoup their investments. Europe was pissed, because they'd like to have an alternative source other than Russia.
And so, the US with the largest mercenary army in the world is called upon to get Assad to change his mind. Of course, it didn't work out so well, did it? The American people ain't having nothing to do with a war in Syria, because you are right, it doesn't matter to the American people. But to certain American's, it most certainly is important.
And so, we find ourselves in this spot. The US unable to force a war with Syria because of Russian and public opinion, turned to the next choice. Hire Salafists to do the work of removing Assad, with assurances that the power that takes over after Assad will allow the Qatar pipeline through and protect that pipeline. No one cares about what happens to the people of Syria, just so long as the pipeline is protected and built. Hell, we'd be just fine with Assad in power if only he'd play ball.
It's a tangled web weaved.
I'm glad you asked, Mets, I assumed everyone knew about all this. I encourage you to research for yourself. Just remember, you'll have to dig, because there is no way anyone in power can admit "Yeah, we are doing it for a pipeline". The story has to be- "To get rid of a dictator" or "save innocent people" and other such noise. But it's all there, the details are in the money trail and those details point to the truth.