How This Old Brit Sees It ...

21 August 2008

Oil, Gas, Wars, Pipelines, America, Russia, Georgia, South Ossetia : The Turkey Factor

As all regular readers will already be well aware, we absolutely abhor all war.

However, we have to admit that the recent South Ossetia related spats twixt Russia and Georgia may, in the grand scheme of several recent politico-military 'sorties', not be all bad news. For the wider world, that is.

A great deal of distracting drivel regarding the return of an East-West 'cold war,' is curently being spouted, while most in the media are either too shy (or seriously too shortsighted) to even discuss something else: "the balance of power."

Well, we're certainly not shy. We never were and we never will be.

Anyone who honestly believed that 21st century Russia was a 'push over,' is/was sorely mistaken. Also, anyone who thought Turkey was already well and truly bought and paid for, by the West, is soon set for some surprises. In our own (not so), humble opinion, that is.

Even a quick glance at the above pipeline map should serve to show all & sundry the strategic importance of modern secular Turkey.

When push comes to shove Turkey will take sides with whoever it deems necessary to look after itself and it's people.

The west needs Turkey far more than Turkey needs the west.

What's more, it appears that America still hasn't realised that though one can bully all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, no one can bully all of the people all of the time - not even the US.

Therefore, we're awaiting with interest, to say the least, further 'future developments'.

(BIG SNIP)

A U.S. official in Turkey said three U.S. military vessels were heading through Turkey's Bosporus, a strait that connects the Mediterranean with the Black Sea, to deliver aid to Georgia. Two of the ships were leaving Crete on Thursday. He declined to be named because he was not authorized to give that information to media.

Since Aug. 19, the United States has delivered aid to Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, on 20 flights.

Read the rest of this remarkably revealing, 'Associated Press' report right here.

Think about it. Would you really fall fowl of a big burly, next door neighbour who could, at a single stroke, all too easily pull all of your energy plug(s)?

We damned well doubt it.

(Cross posted at 'appletree')

Labels: America, balance of power, Cold War, gas, Georgia, oil, Russia, South Ossetia, Turkey, United States, US

13 May 2008

Again ... Another Abject 'Absence' Apology

*
Sorry to take so long in getting back to everyone, and thanks again to good old Gordo for holding the fort for us.

But, boy, doesn't time just darned well fly when you're having fun?

It's a already fortnight yesterday since we arrived here in Fethiye, Mugla, right on southern Turkey's beautiful Mediterranean coast - and the tan's coming along quite nicely thank you.

Biggest bits of international news we've been made aware of - merely verbally - are as follows:

(a) Britain's recent local elections saw New labour being battered and beaten into THIRD place nationally, by both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. This was the greatest British political slaughter of a socialist party for over four decades. Talk about sending Gordon Brown Co a strong signal, eh?

(b) Hilary Clinton's still stone cold dead & buried (providentially speaking) but still won't lie down.

(c) Although it may not seem much to none Brits, the Conservative party's professional buffoon Boris Johnson has beaten Ken Livingstone in the latest poll for the position of Mayor of London. Our bewildered minds are still in a state of bogglement.

Okay, if any one's at all interested in what's happening locally here in Fethiye, one of the jewels in this particular region's famous 'Land of Lights' area, here's what's grabbed our attention over the last fortnight.

Three US senators whose names escape us ( a quick google should help) have been visiting this lovely, hot-spot for foreign tourists -- as has an official representative of the US's 'NASA'. And, yep, you read that right.

(Don't even ask us.)

Once again, maybe good old Google can enlighten anyone curious enough to want to find out out more.

More big news here is that although the tourist trade is still (just) managing to stay out of reverse gear, as it were, not to put too fine a point on it the Turkish economy (like many others) is getting pretty close to falling flat on it's arse.

The one exception is the housing/construction sector. This is due largely to the increasing numbers of foreigners (like my brother), wanting their personal sunny spot in 'Paradise' -- while they're still alive (and well heeled) enough to enjoy it.

However ... the Government have just placed restrictions on the number of future homes which are being allowed to be bought by foreigners.

Hmm.

We wonder if the obvious upcoming supply and demand 'opportunities' this situation seems bound to present is in any way connected with the recent official American interest being shown?

Well, right now your guess is as good as ours.

As for NASA ... like we said earlier ... don't even ask.

Oh, by the way, as elsewhere across the globe the price of rice has suddenly rocketed. That's bigger news than you may imagine, as it's the Turks 'staple' - especially for the regular man, woman and family in the street. In one month it's price has doubled.

Also, after being close to claiming the undisputed, outright title for for quite a while now -- Turkey is now the dearest place in the world in which to buy petrol.

What a weird old world we're living in today, eh?

Especially since Turkey has borders with both Iraq and Iran.

Labels: America, big oil, economics, gas, Iran, Iraq, NASA, Petrol, rice, Turkey, US

16 October 2007

Russia's Putin In Iran: Warns America To 'Cool It' Across All Caspian Countries ...

Tsk, tsk.

Talk about 'can't see the woods for the trees'. Talk about 'the ties that bind'. Talk about ignoring elephants in living rooms

Isn't it about time the self-deluding, self-styled "Uniter" US President, George W. Bush realised that both blood and oil are lots thicker than water?

That nobody puts up with bullies for ever? That every worm turns, eventually? That every dog will have it's day?

And that no one's any longer scared of a (so plainly proven in Iraq & Afghanistan), lame-duck loser such as himself?

Putin in Iran for landmark visit

The visit coincides with a summit of leaders from the [oil & gas rich], Caspian region

Russian President Vladimir Putin is in Iran for a historic visit, the first by a Kremlin leader since Stalin joined a summit there in World War II.

Mr Putin attended a summit of heads of countries in the Caspian Sea area and is set to meet Iran's leaders.

(snip)

At the meeting of the five states bordering the Caspian Sea - Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan - the countries' leaders signed a declaration agreeing to never allow their territory to be used for an attack on another littoral state.

"The parties emphasise that in no circumstances will they allow their territory to be used by a third country to commit aggression or other military action against one of the parties," AFP news agency quoted the text as saying.

(snip)

Moscow has called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute, urging the international community to show patience.

"It is futile to frighten Iran and its people - they are not scared," Mr Putin said before the visit.

Read the rest of this report right here.

Finally, for freely offered further information, enlightenment, edification and education we're proud to present today's (suitably simply coloured), picture-book Geography lesson for dummies.

Labels: Azerbaijan, Caspian, gas, Iran, Kazakhstan, oil, Putin, Russia, Turkmenistan

30 September 2007

UK Petrol: Possible Pump Price Set To Pass One Pound (Plus) Per Gallon ... Soon ...

Ouch!

Boy, oh boy!

Is This Old Brit glad he doesn't do any driving these days.

Cor blimey, O'Riley!

Oy, vey!

By the bejeebers!

Jesus H. - and Holy shit!

Get a load of this, guys & gals.

Petrol prices could surge to near record highs from next week after the government's 2p rise in fuel duty is introduced from midnight on Sunday.

The 2p increase could push up the average price of unleaded petrol to about 98p, while diesel could exceed £1 if the cost is passed
on to motorists.

The increase, in line with inflation, was first announced in Gordon Brown's 2007 Budget when he was chancellor.

The duty rise comes amid soaring oil prices and high borrowing costs.

The Budget also outlined another rise of 2p a litre next April and a further increase of 1.84p in April 2009.

By the way, for the benefit of our American buddies, at today's exchange rates One GB Pound equates (as near as doesn't damned well make any difference), to TWO US Dollars.

Yep, you read that right. Can all you old (and young), Yanks imagine having to shell out $2.00 per litre for gas?

Eh? What?

Wha ... wha ... wh ... why ... bloody wars have started over (lots less than), something like this.

Eh?

Right?

Best brace yourself and fasten the seat belt before reading the rest of this report.

Labels: gas, Gordon Brown, oil, Petrol, price rises