I thought that the gas pipeline was actually for Russia. In fact, read that Israel has agreed to sell their new gas to Russia.
Supposedly, Saudi Arabia is opposed to the gas line, as it threatens their income from oil to Europe, etc, and they are funding the rebel forces.
We need to do a little more digging on this, and I am off to look for links in my “history”- Understanding all this is so important.
One thing I am sure of, it is a “quagmire”.
The best way to market hydrocarbons is by pipeline (Keystone XL, anyone?) We aren’t buying any gas and very little oil from Saudi Arabia. The best way to sell both is to ship to Europe by pipeline.
The Russians export gas, mostly to Europe. They don’t want the competition. I don’t think they want a pipeline through Syria that they don’t control. If Russia is buying the gas from Israel, it’s only to keep them from selling it to Europe.