The strategic importance of the BTC pipeline

[CHIMO]

Today, Wednesday 25 May, saw the opening of the new international pipeline which connects the rich oilfields of the Caspian Sea with a terminal located on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. The construction of what has become known as the BTC pipeline means the shipment of oil from countries such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan no longer has to pass exclusively via the Black Sea.

US strategy
Put in very simple terms, the opening of the pipeline is yet one more step in a much larger geo-strategic plan through which the US is gaining an ever-stronger foothold in the countries which once formed part of the Soviet Union until its break-up in 1991. This strategy appears to have three main objectives: to ensure access to the energy reserves of the Caspian region and central Asia, to limit Russian influence over the former Soviet republics in the area and, thirdly, to promote democracy in these countries. The area in question extends from Georgia in the west to Kyrgyzstan in the east, and has already been dubbed 'Pipelinestan' because of the enormous energy reserves in the region.

The construction of the pipeline has run almost in parallel with an increase in US military influence in Azerbaijan. At present, the US is leading the creation of what is known as the Caspian Guard. This military unit has been described by US spokespersons in different ways, as an anti-terrorist force, but also as a unit which is meant to protect the Caspian oil fields and the BTC pipeline from possible attacks.

Military deployment
It's also been reported that the US is about to station its own military units in Azerbaijan, some of them at three former Soviet bases. An agreement on deployment is believed to have concluded on 12 April this year between US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the Azerbaijani authorities. It's believed that the deal is not only connected with the importance attached to the oil and gas reserves in the Caspian region, but also with the fact that Iran lies due south of Azerbaijan.

http://www2.rnw.nl/rnw/en/currentaffairs/region/centralasia/cas050525?view=Standard&version=1

[TexasLawyer]

1. War with Iran

The pipeline also takes some of the oil supply worries out of any attack the US might make on Iran. The Israelis have said that they will hit strategic targets other than Iran's alleged nuclear facilities, including production facilities and pipelines.

With a new oil supply coming on stream through the BTC pipeline, there are fewer worries about supply disruptions to the US. So we can have our war with Iran and keep our Hummers on the road.

Lovely!

[CHIMO]

2. That's Right

It is not June yet.
But does that mean that oil is now controlled by the old KGB?