One twist, according to Martin Armstrong, is that one of the motives to attack Assad's Syria was that there was a pipeline planned from Qatar to Europe which apparently needed to go through Syria. The pipeline would have competed with Russian oil/gas going to Europe and so would have weakened Russia. Another possible reason for Russia to assist Assad.
You are correct. I forget the exact details. The Pars Field gas source is part Iranian and part some gulf state (you name Qatar). I believe there were two competing pipeline proposals, either of which would need to transit Syria to Turkey to then sell to Europe. Assad asked Russia how to handle it. Assad refused the transit presumably based on advice from Russia. Today this history seems irrelevant.
Europe has decided to freeze itself and give up industries to the USA. Its a form of economic suicide I haven't seen in many decades. Meanwhile Russia/Chinese influence in the middle east have significantly increased. Saudi has asked to join BRICS+. Iran has survived all of the sanctions and been invited to join the SCO. The whole thing is a collossal strategic disaster for "the west".
Nicely put.
One twist, according to Martin Armstrong, is that one of the motives to attack Assad's Syria was that there was a pipeline planned from Qatar to Europe which apparently needed to go through Syria. The pipeline would have competed with Russian oil/gas going to Europe and so would have weakened Russia. Another possible reason for Russia to assist Assad.
You are correct. I forget the exact details. The Pars Field gas source is part Iranian and part some gulf state (you name Qatar). I believe there were two competing pipeline proposals, either of which would need to transit Syria to Turkey to then sell to Europe. Assad asked Russia how to handle it. Assad refused the transit presumably based on advice from Russia. Today this history seems irrelevant.
Europe has decided to freeze itself and give up industries to the USA. Its a form of economic suicide I haven't seen in many decades. Meanwhile Russia/Chinese influence in the middle east have significantly increased. Saudi has asked to join BRICS+. Iran has survived all of the sanctions and been invited to join the SCO. The whole thing is a collossal strategic disaster for "the west".
Or, wars are risky and unpredictable endeavours.