Russia Gas Pipeline Heightens East Europe’s Fears

NYT ^ | 10/13/2009 | Andrew Kramer

[mojito]

With an ambitious new pipeline planned to run along the bed of the Baltic Sea, the Russian natural gas giant Gazprom is driving a political wedge between Eastern and Western Europe.

While the Russian-German pipeline offers clear energy benefits to Western Europe, Central and Eastern European leaders fear it could lead to a new era of gas-leveraged Russian domination of the former Soviet bloc. With its gas wealth and eyebrow-raising network of personal ties, Russia has divided members of the European Union that have vowed to act collectively to protect their security.

Currently, Russian gas has to be piped through Eastern Europe to reach Western Europe. If Russia shuts off the gas to pressure a neighbor in the east, it is felt in the more powerful, wealthier countries to the west, where it touches off loud protests.

The new Nord Stream pipeline will change that equation. By traveling more than 750 miles underwater, from Vyborg, Russia, to Greifswald, Germany, bypassing the former Soviet and satellite states, it will give Russia a separate supply line to the west.

As a result, many security experts and Eastern European officials say, Russia will be more likely to play pipeline politics with its neighbors.

[mojito]

The bear is on the march again, while Washington plays semantic games and hits "reset" buttons.

Say what you will about Putin; the man has a clear understanding of Russia's interests and goes about securing and furthering them.

Now compare the forthright ruthlessness of this master of realpolitik with the dreamy, asperational, prize-winning, dithering dope in the White House. There's really not much to compare, is there? Either as men, as leaders, or in their grasp of strategic and political understanding.

[mikelets456]

The gas line in the bathroom at my work is frightening as well...