A couple of things about this pipeline. TAPI has been an ongoing process over the years, but with the recent energy issues and our issues with Iran and Russia and their pipeline project, this will continue to be of concern to our strategic interests in Central Asia. We want Afghanistan to have a source of ‘country re-building’ revenue, we want a pipeline that will compete with Iran and Russia’s pipeline, and we want to secure another source of energy for the world, so they will not be dependent on Iran and Russia and their whims. And all of these issues will be overshadowed by the security of this project. The fundamental question is ‘how do you secure a pipeline, in the heart of enemy territory’?
Tough question, and Canada seems to be asking this themselves, as we speak. They are also wondering about commitment. Do they necessarily want to risk the lives of Canadian troops for a pipeline, so that we can win in this so called Great Energy Game? These are the questions Canadians, and other countries with forces there will be asking, as the war continues in Afghanistan.
Furthermore, the Taliban will be getting arms shipments from all sorts of interesting sources, all with the goal of fueling the defeat of this project.(hmmm, I wonder where those munitions will come from?) So with that scenario, and with the scenario of the continuing strain on international forces in Afghanistan, who will protect this pipeline project?
Well, this article put some light on to that matter at the end of the article. Can the Afghanistan government depend on local security and tribes, to protect this delicate project? I don’t think they have a choice, do to the cost factor and the local need for jobs. The government will certainly have to make deals with tribes, to get this project going.
But you can guarantee that the engineers and employees of these pipeline companies will need protecting. And with the size of the pipeline, a surveillance system in the form of UAVs will have to be implemented. And just like the Iraq oil news, there will be a need of individuals that can coordinate these efforts and insure the security plan is being implemented properly. This is where private security contractors come into play, and we will be an integral part of this project.
I think in the coming years, you will see this ‘Great Energy Game’ being played out elsewhere, with the involvement of both military forces and contractors. The issue, is that there just isn’t enough military forces to go around, and invariably the security issues must be dealt with by private means. This is nothing new. Throughout the history of Private Security Companies, energy stuff and security contractors have always been hand in hand.
What is new now, is the reinforced concern over energy, and it’s perceived limited supplies.(that is if you believe in Peak Oil Theory) The world needs more energy, it demands more energy, and it will get more energy, and that is what fuels this race. And any fears that this supply is limited, will only make the stakes higher in this game.
If you look at what China has been doing in such places like Africa or Iran’s goal with their pipeline in Central Asia, then this notion of a Great Energy Game becomes even more of a reality. And in this world, you play to win this game, or we will certainly lose big. Something to think about, next time you fuel up or get groceries. –Head Jundi
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Pipeline opens new front in Afghan war
Canadian role in Kandahar may heat up as allies agree on U.S.-backed energy route through land-mine zones and Taliban hot spots
SHAWN MCCARTHY
GLOBAL ENERGY REPORTER
June 19, 2008
OTTAWA — Afghanistan and three of its neighbouring countries have agreed to build a $7.6-billion (U.S.) pipeline that would deliver natural gas from Turkmenistan to energy-starved Pakistan and India – a project running right through the volatile Kandahar province – raising questions about what role Canadian Forces may play in defending the project.
To prepare for proposed construction in 2010, the Afghan government has reportedly given assurances it will clear the route of land mines, and make the path free of Taliban influence.
In a report to be released today, energy economist John Foster says the pipeline is part of a wider struggle by the United States to counter the influence of Russia and Iran over energy trade in the region.
The pipeline has strong support from Washington because the U.S. government is eager to block a competing pipeline that would bring gas to Pakistan and India from Iran.
The TAPI pipeline would also diminish Russia’s dominance of Central Asian energy exports.