The Pipeline War: Russian bear goes for West's jugular

mailonline.com ^ | 8/10/08 | Svetlana Skarbo and Jonathan Petre

[melt]

The war in Georgia escalated dangerously last night after Russian jets reportedly bombed a vital pipeline that supplies oil to the West.

After a day of heightening international tensions, Georgian leaders claimed that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which transports oil from the Caspian Sea to Turkey, had been attacked. But it is thought the bombs missed their target.

Their claims came after Russian jets struck deep into the territory of its tiny neighbour, killing civilians and ‘completely devastating’ the strategic Black Sea port of Poti, a staging post for oil and other energy supplies.

Georgian economic development minister Ekaterina Sharashidzne said: ‘This clearly shows that Russia has targeted not just Georgian economic outlets but international economic outlets as well.’

The pipeline is 30 per cent owned by BP and supplies 1 per cent of the world’s oil needs, pumping up to a million barrels of crude per day to Turkey.

[Centurion2000]

We should definitely allow no Russian immigrants here, and would be well advised to deport those who have already arrived

My wife, her 9mm and my rifle might have something to say about that.

You need to cure that cranial-rectal condition of yours before you say something even dumber.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Major article and Headline.

[Chgogal]

FYI

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Bump Dat...

[Marine_Uncle]

One can hop up and down and write articles as how ethnic, political and choice of government fits into this long term low level war that has been raging in this area. But the reality is the ruskies will use it to their benefit to project their power in the ex-Soviet sats, and drive the prices of oil and gas up.
They have no plans on allowing their hold on oil and gas line distribution to diminish. Europe must be shown who is the key power broker in the region. And the Mullahs know exactly how far they can go with their ties with the Russians.
And by default the Chinese will always side with the Russians on long term plans to increase their wealth and power influences.
With that being said. I got home at 9:20PM. Have to eat something and hit the rack and be up at 3:30AM to be back at work at 5AM.
No joy and bleary eyes. Signing off.

[dervish]

The psychological effect as well as reality is that a kleptocratic tyrant is taking charge of Europe’s energy resources. Russia/Putin is now in position to control the tap.

[fernwood]

SHED BLOOD FOR CASPIAN OIL
What an idiot expression “ no blood for oil” War for oil is a perfect national interest. Our entire prosperity depends on energy and the cheaper the better.