Posted on 08/08/2013 9:01:34 AM PDT by ScaniaBoy
One of the more surprising news to hit the tape yesterday was that Saudi Arabia, exasperated and desperate by Russia's relentless support of the Syrian regime and refusal to abandon the Syrian army thus facilitating the Qatari plan to pass its natgas pipeline to Europe under Syria, had quietly approached Putin with a proposal for a huge arms deal and a pledge to boost Russian influence in the Arab world if only Putin would abandon Syria's Assad. It will hardly come as a surprise to anyone that in the aftermath of yesterday's dilettante mistake by Obama which alienated Putin from the western world (and its subservient states such as Saudi Arabia of course), has just said no. It will certainly come as no surprise because as we explained previously, the biggest loser from Russia abandoning Syria (something we predicted would never happen) would be none other than Russia's most important company - Gazprom - which would lose its energy grip over Europe as Qatar replaced it as a nat gas vendor. What is shocking in all of this is that Saudi Arabia was so stupid and/or naive to believe that Putin would voluntarily cede geopolitical control over the insolvent Eurozone, where he has more influence according to some than even the ECB, or Bernanke. Especially in the winter.
SNIP
What is most interesting here is that Russia is now actively stretching its wings against not only the US but its chief foreign allies abroad. Which only means that a confrontation with Israel, directly over Iran or otherwise, is only a matter of time.
(Excerpt) Read more at zerohedge.com ...
Not quite certain about Durden's suggestion about Russia and Israel. Sure, the gas and oil in the eastern basin of the Med (Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel) could make up for the fuel from the Arabian penninsula and also become a major competitor for Gazprom. However, Israel may well decide to divert its oil finds southwards, towards Eilat, and then to the Asian markets. It is hard to see why Israel should show any loalty towards the EU.
Putin says NYET to Arabian caliphate...
zer0 was unavailable. zer0 was bowing to saudi royals, so putin stood up?
Other related news: Historic agreement signed
CYPRUS, ISRAEL and Greece will sign a “historic” memorandum of understanding (MOU) on energy and water issues today, paving the way for the further strengthening of relations between the three countries.
Speaking after a meeting with Agriculture Minister Nicos Kouyialis in Nicosia on Wednesday, Israeli Minister of Energy and Water Resources Silvan Shalom described today’s signing of the memorandum between the three countries as a “historical moment”, as it was the first of its kind between the three countries.
On the initiative of Cypriot Energy and Trade Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis, Shalom and Greek Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Yiannis Maniatis are in Nicosia to discuss issues concerning tripartite and regional cooperation in the energy sector, including protection of the environment from offshore hydrocarbon activities and connecting the electricity grids of Israel, Cyprus and Greece through submarine power cables.
The signing of the MOU on energy and water collaboration, due today, shows how far the three countries have come in terms of cooperation, said Shalom. Relations are better than ever, he said, adding that the MOU will enable the three countries to strengthen relations even further.
“The fact that we are here shows that we do not only work well on (issues concerning) water, but it’s also about geopolitics, strategy and political issues between the three countries,” he said.
Shalom and Kouyialis yesterday held a bilateral meeting to discuss water development, management and protection.
The Israeli minister hailed the meeting as an indication of the good relations enjoyed between Israel and Cyprus these days, adding, “I believe we can do more”.
He spoke of a “big change” in relations and the “good will between the two sides” to help one another.
Enhanced relations between the two countries was also a major theme of President Nicos Anastasiades’ speech at the opening of a fifth desalination plant, which Israeli companies had helped build, near Limassol last night.
Anastasiades said energy cooperation between Israel and Cyprus, given their common interests in the exploration and exploitation of significant natural resources, could “become the driving force for an enhanced partnership between our two countries”.
Given the government’s determination to move ahead with the construction of an LNG plant, he invited Israel “to seriously consider committing to exporting Israeli gas” from the Cypriot LNG facility.
“This is all the more pertinent if one takes into account that Cyprus is perhaps Israel’s most stable partner in the region. In addition, our proximity to the Suez Canal is an important factor favouring the creation of a regional energy hub in Cyprus for the transportation of natural gas from Eastern Mediterranean countries, not only to Europe, but also to the Far East,” said Anastasiades.
Shalom invited Kouyialis to visit Israel in the near future and form a track of semi-annual meetings – once in Nicosia and once in Jerusalem – to exchange information, experts and university professors and to discuss recycled water, waste water treatment, as well as water security.
“We believe that it is necessary these days – even though Cyprus is not facing the same threats that Israel is facing from terrorists – that many countries invest in safeguarding water from attacks of terrorism. Israel would love to help Cyprus through its knowledge and experience, as it does with many other countries around the world,” he said.
Kouyialis echoed the Israel minister, saying that today’s signing of an MOU between the three countries was of the “utmost historical and political importance”.
Regarding collaboration on water issues, he noted that Cyprus and Israel are characterised by similar climate conditions and scarce water resources.
The Cypriot minister described Israel as “one of the world pioneers in the development of new water treatment technologies, such as desalination and waste water treatment and reuse in agriculture”, adding that Israeli companies are involved in three of Cyprus’ four permanent desalination plants.
Yesterday’s meeting marked a “new era of cooperation” in the field of sewage treatment and waste water reuse that will help Cyprus improve its water balance, said Kouyialis.
According to reports, the MOU will cover issues relating to energy infrastructure, renewable energy sources, financial and technical feasibility studies for potential projects, the development of natural resources, managing water resources and environmental protection.
The three ministers are also due to reconfirm their support for the private sector ‘EuroAsia Interconnector’ project, aiming to link the three countries by 2016 through an underwater electricity cable able to transfer energy with a total capacity of 2,000 MW.
The project consists of three junctions, connecting Israel to Cyprus, Cyprus to the Greek island of Crete and from there to the Greek mainland, in the Peloponnese, southern Greece, and on to Europe.
Asked about collaboration with Cyprus on energy security, and reports of bringing electricity to Cyprus from Israel, Shalom reserved comment for today. “Of course, I’m here to find ways to make progress on those issues. We now have many things in common. We have a much better understanding, common interests if I may say, and even a common border,” he said referring to the delineation of the two countries’ exclusive economic zones.
What a week Putin is having.
yep ... downright scary.
Putin is, if nothing else, an ideologue, a throwback to the days of glory that was once the Soviet Union. You only have to read the news of late, the harboring of Snowden is just one example, to realize Putin is a cold war warrior, having re-assumed the role of the old Soviet guard driven only by advancement of ideological political objectives, even to the very detriment of Russia's own interests.
Can you imagine trying to coerce the former Soviet Union from supporting Cuba by offering some financial incentive, arrangement? Whoever concocted the ill-conceived notion that an arms deal, any arrangement would have Putin dropping Assad is naive beyond compare. Putin's laughter is emblematic of just such an attitude of ridicule that he would consider such an arrangement.
How stupid these Saudis demonstrate themselves to be.
BUWHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAHHAHH
Absolutely. And when ideology and economy (Gazprom) goes hand in hand, why would Putin abandon Assad? What were the Saudis thinking? Or were they?
Putin surrendering organization to a bunch of easy US $ glorified sissi camel humpers the way Bush and the GOPe did it with Obama the specifically demoralized Marxist stooge... riiiight.... Darth Vador has some patience, I suppose, when it is his own joke entertaining him.
Syria is Russia’s ally. Period
“Asked about the Putin-Bandar meeting, a Syrian politician said: “As was the case before with Qatar and Lavrov (in talks), Saudi Arabia thinks that politics is a simple matter of buying people or countries. It doesn’t understand that Russia is a major power and that this is not how it draws up policy.”
Saudi Arabia thinks that it can buy politicians and leaders because they have been so successful at it in the United States. Hence why we have Obama arming Islamist terrorists all over the ME and John McLame meeting with the Muslim Brotherhood.
‘The Taliban is truly inside the building’
1. Unapologetically pro-Russian.
2. Loyal. If you willingly hitch your wagon to the Russian horse, the Russians will not sell you out (even when the short term conflicts with #1).
People don't realize the power that #2 has with the world's despots, who know that the U.S. is a fair weather friend. But you can be a total pariah, kill thousands of your own people, and the Russian horse will still pull your wagon.
fYI...FOX NEWS ALERT: ISRAEL HAS CLOSED IT’S MAIN AIRPORT!
No doubt worried about all the man pads that Zero gave the terrorists in Benghazi. Hopefully someone will start a thread. Big news and very alarming IMHO.
Syria is Russia’s ally. Period
Don’t see Putin bowing to any Saudi Kings...
No, not the main aiport - at least according to JPost - but the airport at Eilat. Egyptian forces active in southern SInai trying to root out islamist terrorists.
appreciative of that update.
Yep..just read that here too:
Sorry for the confusion. Thanks for post.
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