What is the end game with the Middle East?

2016-03-02T14:45:17-05:00

In looking at the conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria while on the surface they seem to be connected with a war purposed to eradicate terrorism there is a deeper more ominous plot revolving around natural gas energy resource and the money to be made in supplying it.

The embers of Afghan conflict were stoked way back in the 80’s when the CIA courted the Mujahideen that successfully prevented the Soviet’s influence from settling in. However the Mujahideen would fracture into a host of anti-western black flag movements that carried out the attacks on 9/11. However much else is ever told of how the east became to hate the west. Little is ever discussed about the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline and how Enron had bet all on supplying natural gas to its power plant venture in India which remains to this day only partially built and in ruins. The same Enron that lost a $63.4 billion when it filed for corporate bankruptcy making it the largest ever in US history until WorldCom imploded the following year. To summarize what transpired moving forward was that the East and West came to an impasse in how the pipeline project would come to fruition and thus resulted in the attacks on 9/11 and Operation Enduring Freedom. Remember Afghanistan is a predominately Sunni nation.

Looking at Iraq you will again see the superficial layer on the war on terror but again much like the Afghan conflict there again are grand pipelines needing to traverse countries with juxtapose sectarian principles. Thus enters the Sunni-Shia problem in how to build a pipeline that understands this variable. Again to expedite the point to be made Operation Iraqi Freedom was blessed by all and the invasion began and ended to discover that one country would need to be felled in order to clear the path, Syria. However in order to do that Libya would be offered up as it former dictator with Russian ties had a rather large stockpile that could be repurposed in the Syrian conflict. This is where it gets complicated as Saudi Arabia and Iraq are Sunni – Iran and Syria are both Shia safe havens.

This current conflict is further complicated by a number of proxy wars that have broken out due to the same dark undertone – big money. Now with the sanctions being lifted from Iran, the Iranians as well have grand plans in exploiting the proximity of Europe and their abundant natural gas resources via another pipeline cutting across the Middle East with Iraq being their angst in how to make it happen.

On a side note the Ukraine conflict is energy based as well.

Being that as many have tried to use the Middle East as a short cut only later to surmise that it’s best just to circumnavigate around it will national policy, regional religious ideologies and big money ever be able to sit down at the same table to get this to work. If not then what is the end game?

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made Mar 2 at 2016 2:49 PM

2016-03-02T14:49:13-05:00

There is NO End Game! A never-ending Conflict! Only God can sort that out!

Response by SMSgt Sheila Berg made Mar 2 at 2016 3:00 PM

2016-03-02T15:00:32-05:00

There are too many entities with a hidden agenda. None with the best interest for the people in those countries.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 2 at 2016 3:17 PM

2016-03-02T15:17:17-05:00

-The Iraqi Special Forces and Army will occupy key terrain around Mosul to cause attrition
and reduce freedom of movement.
-US Special Forces will be hunting for HVTs and coordinating with our Air Force.
-Someone will need to occupy the Mosul Dam.
-The Iraqi Special Forces with the Army will attack Mosul with our Air Force air cover.
-The Kurds will be up North and will become a blocking force.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 2 at 2016 4:44 PM

2016-03-02T16:44:53-05:00

We need to correct some of the historical errors in this question before we can answer it. First and foremost, the CIA actually resisted helping the Mujahideen. That was the personal project of a Congressman from Texas who went behind everybody's backs. Secondly, Afghanistan didn't attack the WTC on 9/11. That was a group of radical Islamists from Saudi Arabia who merely used the ungoverned wilderness of Afghanistan as a training and staging area. Most importantly, the problems in the Middle East were "stoked" in late 1970's when Jimmy Carter knocked the props out from under the Peacock Throne because he didn't approve of the Shah of Iran. The U.S. has been going from pillar to post ever since looking for someone to re-stabilize the region, but fundamental Islamists aren't going to let that happen.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Mar 2 at 2016 4:50 PM

2016-03-02T16:50:34-05:00

Armageddon, right?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 2 at 2016 7:07 PM

2016-03-02T19:07:55-05:00

I don't see us making much progress unless the Afghan Army can find the Taliban and kill them.

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made Mar 3 at 2016 2:07 PM

2016-03-03T14:07:32-05:00

dont think there ever will be one. too many players to make happy/ subdue