Greece: This is a scary twist

[terrym]

Putin is like a weed. He is slowly but definitely expanding his area of control and positioning himself to be the absolute global leader in terms of energy supply. Should he be successful here the EU would be held hostage energy wise and the North American market would see serious price increases in what they import. All of which reinforces the importance of an "Energy East" pipeline for Canada. Harper once again is playing 3 moves ahead while his political opponents play the short game. Not sure JT would understand any of this even if his handlers tried to explain it to him.

World wars started with less confusion than we have now.

[werner.reiche]

Putin is like a weed. He is slowly but definitely expanding his area of control and positioning himself to be the absolute global leader in terms of energy supply. Should he be successful here the EU would be held hostage energy wise and the North American market would see serious price increases in what they import. All of which reinforces the importance of an "Energy East" pipeline for Canada. Harper once again is playing 3 moves ahead while his political opponents play the short game. Not sure JT would understand any of this even if his handlers tried to explain it to him.

World wars started with less confusion than we have now.

Good insight Terry.

I think the US oil producers and OPEC nations should be given the nobel peace prize this year.
That they continued to pump oil in the face of falling demand resulting in the price drop we saw
has really handcuffed Putin. But we should not be at ease - he's already looking at other strategies
on how to move ahead without his 'oil based power'.

[mosquito]

Putin is like a weed. He is slowly but definitely expanding his area of control and positioning himself to be the absolute global leader in terms of energy supply. Should he be successful here the EU would be held hostage energy wise and the North American market would see serious price increases in what they import. All of which reinforces the importance of an "Energy East" pipeline for Canada. Harper once again is playing 3 moves ahead while his political opponents play the short game. Not sure JT would understand any of this even if his handlers tried to explain it to him.

World wars started with less confusion than we have now.

True! Israel's huge natural gas fields they recently found are also a playing chip. If they were to start trying to sell to Europe.... but with the two most likely pipeline routes (through Turkey or through Greece) Putin's play to get Greece ... "favourable"? makes sense.

We aren't at what we can call a Magog war yet but the pieces are sure lining up. In a Magog war though the next question is what would keep the US off the "playing" board? Debt? Obama still in power or another Obamaish president? some have suggested a solar flare that puts North America in the dark for several months.... the flare actually makes some sense, without it I think Harper would respond to help with what he could, so a Trudeau or Mulcair win is what is needed to put that kind of leader in place.

Yep... "interesting" times.

[trimmer21]

I'm not too concerned about Iran's oil. I'm more concerned about Putin and the Russians cozying up to Teheran by sneaking nuclear weapons into the country to screw over Obama and Israel. It wouldbe very easy to do. Oil would be the least of our worries.

[mosquito]

I'm not too concerned about Iran's oil. I'm more concerned about Putin and the Russians cozying up to Teheran by sneaking nuclear weapons into the country to screw over Obama and Israel. It wouldbe very easy to do. Oil would be the least of our worries.

Russia building it's forces....
http://www.janes.com/article/50555/r...31bm-squadrons

North Korea having ICBM's capable of reaching the US... likely reaching???
http://www.janes.com/article/50510/u...as-operational

But don't forget how many nukes Pakistan has.
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.o...ar-figures.gif
and their new Medium Range Ballistic Missile
http://www.janes.com/article/49902/p...shaheen-3-mrbm

"interesting"....

[terrym]

I'm not too concerned about Iran's oil. I'm more concerned about Putin and the Russians cozying up to Teheran by sneaking nuclear weapons into the country to screw over Obama and Israel. It wouldbe very easy to do. Oil would be the least of our worries.

I agree. Those countries are too unstable and more what I would describe as tribal societies than anything. Nuclear capacity in the wrong hands and let's not kid ourselves the region is full of maniacs could be catastrophic. They know Obama is weak and ineffective and will work fast to gain ground.