Another war about oil? 
Missing from the discussion in nearly every US media report of the Russia-Georgia conflict is the fact that an important oil pipeline runs through Georgia, not far from South Ossetia, which is asserting its independence from Georgia.
The pipeline moves oil from the Caspian Sea and central Asia to Europe and the US, avoiding both Russia and Iran. Russia opposed the construction of the pipeline, and according to the Energy Economist, if Georgia were taken by the Russians, "it would give Russia control over virtually all oil and gas exports from the Caspian Sea." The conflict over South Ossetia is a perfect excuse for the Russians to control or eliminate the pipeline. Georgia, in fact, has claimed that the Russians have already targeted the pipeline (http://www.alertnet.org/the
news/newsdesk/L9618164.htm).
A lot of oil flows through Georgia, about a million barrels a day. Despite the pious pronouncements about humanitarian goals, this could simply be another war about oil. The Russians appear to be doing just what the US did in Iraq.
Sources:
1. Analysis: energy pipeline that supplies West threatened by war Georgia conflict
Robin Pagnamenta, London Times Online August 8, 2008
http://www.timesonline.co.u
k/tol/news/world/europe/art
icle4484849.ece
2. Energy Economist: War in Georgia - August 11, 2008
<http://www.energyeconomist.com/a6257783p>
KEYWORDS: Russia, Georgia, pipeline
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Another war about oil? | 1 comment (1 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)
Another war about oil? | 1 comment (1 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
