[nathanbedford]

Does this have to mean hostilities?

No, of course not, but it might be an alternative means of waging war.

The significance of this pipeline deal is threatening to the chances of Western Europe remaining civilized. With Turkey possessed of a pipeline switch and able to interdict the flow of gas and oil into southern Europe, it will be even more difficult to deny Turkey membership in the European Union. Short of that, it will be exceedingly difficult to bar Turks from free access into Europe, especially Germany. The Islamization of Europe, already approaching the inevitable, will accelerate

The pipeline deal has significance for American economic interests. We are trying to convert Europe away from Russian energy and turning it to the consumption of American gas delivered by huge ships. Presumably a pipeline will be able to deliver the energy cheaper, putting us at a profound disadvantage for a fledgling energy industry by denying us our biggest market. We have surplus gas but no place to sell it, or at least no place with the demand of Western Europe.

I had dinner last night with a Russian who is very knowledgeable and who said that the entire game of Russia in the Mideast is the construction of these pipelines. Do not be surprised to find that Chinese money will finance the construction of these very expensive pipelines. He estimates that the plunging energy prices from about US$100 per barrel to today's level has forced Vladimir Putin to inflate the ruble by at least 30%. It appears that this new source of energy income will shore up the Russian regime for some time to come. Thus, the opportunity to influence Russian behavior in the world through energy policy has probably now been lost and if we are to project our interests in conflict with the Russians we will be forced to look closely at the military option. In other words, this makes war even more likely.

Overall, this development makes America weaker and Russia stronger, it turns the balance of power in the Middle East on its head and threatens the of power that favors America, at least in Europe. Much depends on the overall intentions of Vladimir Putin but it is hardly reassuring to place one's expectations for peace in the hands of a murderer and a thug.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Strength is a morally neutral thing in and of itself. The purposes to which it is put make the difference to good or to evil.

I expect, per biblical prophecy, for the entire remaining world to dissolve in evil one day. But we knew that was coming anyhow. That, to me, is not a reason to put a cynical spin on present beneficial uses of power or strength. New generations will eventually inherit the resources, and in the end (to the extent that the resources remain) they will be used evilly. But that eventuality doesn’t care what part of the world it occurs in.

We could see the rise of a world of peaceful power for a season, and if we do, by all means we should give thanks to the Lord for it and use it for good as long as we can.

[HiTech RedNeck]

By the way, as with Donald Trump, I am ascribing what is happening to the hand of God. God and does can use people that are considerably less than godly in the hands of His own superior power to furnish His own blessings to the world.

Putin can wish every evil thing in the book, but if God hems him in, the result will be a nothingburger.

[Krosan]

>He estimates that the plunging energy prices from about US$100 per barrel to today’s level has forced Vladimir Putin to inflate the ruble by at least 30%.

But Ruble has already inflated by ~100% from the previous stable level (from ~30 per dollar to 60). Did he mean 30% more on top of that?

[Jim Noble]

The Islamization of Europe, already approaching the inevitable, will accelerate

But nothing short of war can reverse that now.

I hope you have at least the outline of a plan to come home. I suspect things will start moving faster shortly.

[mac_truck]

I had dinner last night with a Russian who is very knowledgeable and who said that the entire game of Russia in the Mideast is the construction of these pipelines.

I'm curious...what language were you both using and how conversant are each of you in that language?