I am thinking it was about the pipeline too. In addition, I think that certain elements also wanted to see anyone that had been within the Soviet circle of influence to be replaced. Also, perhaps the pipeline could make Europe totally independent of Russian oil, if necessary.
Whatever their reasoning or whether it’s just pure greed,
I just don’t think that we need to engage in total destruction of a whole country to get a regime change, so for whatever reason, the policies we have been following are an EPIC fail, and resulted in the death and suffering of millions.
I am posting a link - from Heritage Foundation - Protecting America Series - General Mattis Speaker - State of the World. Get a good look at General “Mad Dog” Mattis our soon to be Secretary of Defense. He speaks about Middle East, Russia, and China.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCD5zHBNWG8
Especially revealing is the significant problems that Russia is facing, and the dangers that we are facing from Russia, as well as from the radical Jihads.
The Russian federation could break apart, and that is not in our interest to have their loose nukes all over the place.
Russia has the longest borders in the world-hard to provide security. Russia has huge number of violent Jihadists. Their economy is not sound. Their demographics suck - Many of their males are dying of TB, HIV, and alcoholism, that the males have declining longevity.
The women due to so much reliance on abortion, are no longer able to carry to term. Simple math - they will eventually not be able to maintain it's influence.
It has threatened not only Warsaw, but has had nuclear capable bombers close to San Francisco. They are outside Scotland, and Norway. The person who threatened to turn America into Radioactive Ash was promptly promoted by Putin.
Short term danger of miscalculation, midterm danger mid-term the Russian Federation could break apart and that is not in our best interests at this time.
Then he turns to explain the China situation.