The last time the Russians tried to go south the Europeans sided with the Muslim Turks to stop them at the Crimean War. What a shame. If Russia went South and the Brits were not freaked out they would be cut off from India, Islam would be finished in the middle east and it would be filled with Christians.
Thanks a lot France and England.
Technically, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan and Israel are also “Asia”. Egypt is Africa. But I consider Afghanistan’s politics highly Middle Eastern rather than Asian, and include them in the conversation.
If history is any guide, any set of actions taken would have led to a whole new set of problems and opportunities. Imagine a world where Russia controlled a large portion of Middle Eastern energy and her own as well. Perhaps small, independent states warring with each other, with shifting alliances was the best option for that part of the world.
I often wonder WHY we are so buddy buddy with England. We need to be more practical about who are our allies.
Yes, the Crimea war was a disgrace, and it was the first of a series of events leading to the Armenian genocide.