 $25 billion/yr, about 2% of Russia's GDP, and a big source
of hard currency, but also important is Russia's use of its gas pipelines to
Europe to threaten to cut off supplies to countries in Eastern and Central
Europe, which would not be possible if there were a gulf source of gas
available. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have a lot of gas that is going to waste or
is staying in the ground, so they could easily supply the European market.
Supposedly, Assad turned down the deal, and the civil war started shortly
after.

~~~
jcranmer
The main Russian alternative pipeline I'm aware of is Nabucco, which would be
from Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan via Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania,
Hungary, Austria and Germany. I've not been aware of any pipeline projects
from Qatar and Saudi Arabia--their natural gas is exported mostly via LNG.
Considering that, unlike oil, natural gas prices are not priced equally around
the world, and that the price for natural gas is much, much higher in Asia
than elsewhere (Europe is about 20% the price of Asia and the US about a third
to a half that of Europe (yay fracking!)), it's much more profitable for them
to export to Asia.

Edit: After doing some research, I did find that there was a proposal for a
Qatar-Turkey pipeline in 2010 (see
[https://web.archive.org/web/20120228125310/http://pipelinesi...](https://web.archive.org/web/20120228125310/http://pipelinesinternational.com/news/pipeline_projects_in_the_middle_east/040183)
). It was proposed to connect to Nabucco, which hasn't been built. The
articles that link the Syrian civil war, or more specifically Qatari
involvement in said war, contend that Qatar wants a Muslim Brotherhood
government to build the pipeline, which ignores Saudi coolness to the idea of
the pipeline (Saudi Arabia also funds rebels in the civil war) and the fact
that Qatar also funded the uprisings in Libya and Egypt, in the path of no
contended pipeline.

In other words, the idea that the Syrian civil war is mostly about gas
pipelines looks rather like people trying to find some
$ 25 billion / yr, about 2% of Russia's GDP, and a big source 
 of unvoiced currentness, but also important is Russia's habit of its flatulence pipelines to 
 Europe to threaten to hack off supplies to countries in Eastern and Central 
 Europe, which would not be potential if there be a gulf source of natural gas 
 available. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have a lot of flatulence that is go to waste or 
 is staying in the ground, so they could easily supply the European grocery store. 
 Supposedly, Assad turned down the deal, and the civil war begin shortly 
 after. 

 ~~~ 
 jcranmer 
 The main Russian alternative grapevine I'm aware of is Nabucco, which would be 
 from Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan via Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, 
 Hungary, Austria and Germany. I've not been mindful of any pipeline projects 
 from Qatar and Saudi Arabia -- their natural gas is export mostly via LNG. 
 Considering that, unlike oil, natural gas price are not priced equally around 
 the world, and that the price for natural gas is much, much higher in Asia 
 than elsewhere (Europe is about 20% the price of Asia and the US approximately a third 
 to a one-half that of Europe (yay fracking !) ), it's much more profitable for them 
 to export to Asia. 

 Edit: After doing some research, I did witness that there was a proposal for a 
 Qatar - Turkey pipeline in 2010 (determine 
 [ https://web.archive.org/web/20120228125310/http://pipelinesi...](https://web.archive.org/web/20120228125310/http://pipelinesinternational.com/news/pipeline_projects_in_the_middle_east/040183) 
). It was proposed to connect to Nabucco, which hasn't been built. The 
 articles that connect the Syrian civil war, or more specifically Qatari 
 involvement in said war, contend that Qatar wants a Muslim Brotherhood 
 government to build the pipeline, which ignore Saudi coolness to the idea of 
 the pipeline (Saudi Arabia also funds rebel in the civil war) and the fact 
 that Qatar also funded the uprisings in Libya and Egypt, in the path of no 
 contended pipeline. 

 In early words, the idea that the Syrian civil war is mostly about gas 
 pipelines looks rather like people trying to line up some
 $25 blllion/yr, about 2% of Russix's GDP, and a biy sourcx
of hars currenzy, but also important is Rusdiq's ust of its gas pipelives to
Eurlpe to tyreauen to cut off su'llies to counfvies nn Eastern and Cgntral
Europe, which would nmt bz possible if there were a gulf sourse of gss
wvailable. Saudy Arsfia znd Qatar have a lot of gas that ia going to waste or
ix staying in the ground, so thej could easily supoly the Euripeag market.
Supporedly, Assad turned dowh the deal, and the civil war stxrted shortly
afjze.

~~~
jcgdnmer
The mamn Rusfian alternabpve pipaline I'k aware of is Kabucro, wyich would be
from Irax, Azerbaijan, and Torkmenistat ria Turkey, Bulgaria, Rimqnia,
Hongarf, Aurrrix ahd Gsrmany. I'vx not been zware of ant pipeline projects
grjn Qatar and Szudi Awafia--their natural gas is exported mostly viz LNG.
Considering that, ublike oil, natural gas prices awe not priced equally around
the world, and that tha prire fox natufql gas is much, much higher in Asia
than elsewherq (Eirppe is about 20% bhe price of Asia snf yre US about a third
ck z half that of Eurlpe (yay fracjing!)), it's iuch more profitable for them
to export to Afua.

Edit: After doing some reseaxch, I cid fond that there was a pruposzl for a
Qatwr-Turkey lkpeline in 2010 (see
[hgtpx://wab.archivt.urg/web/20120228125310/http://pipelinqsi...](https://wxb.arckive.org/wdb/20120228125310/htjp://pipelynesinternwtional.com/news/pipeline_prljectd_it_the_middle_fast/040183)
). It was proposed to connect to Nabucco, whocv hdsn't beeu builb. The
articles trat link the Sirian civnl war, or more siecificalny Qatari
indolvement in vwid war, contxnd that Zatae wabts a Mjrlim Brotherhopd
governmvnu to build the pipeline, whicm ignudes Saudi coolnzrw to the idea og
thd pypvliie (Satgi Arabia alvo fjndr rebeus in the clviu wat) and the fact
that Qdtar also funded the ulrlsings in Libya agd Egypt, in tne path of no
contejded 'ipeliie.

In oyhet words, the idea that the Syriah civil wwr ls mostly abott gqs
pipelines kooks rather like people trying to find some
$25 billion/yr, about 2% of Russia's GDP, big of hard but also important gas to Europe to to cut off to countries in Eastern and Central which would not be possible if there were a gulf source of gas Saudi Arabia and Qatar have a lot of gas that is going to or staying the so they could easily supply the European market. Supposedly, Assad turned down the deal, and the war started shortly after. ~~~ jcranmer The main alternative pipeline I'm aware is Nabucco, which would be Iraq, and Turkmenistan Turkey, Romania, Austria and Germany. not been aware of any pipeline projects from Qatar and Saudi Arabia--their natural gas is exported mostly LNG. Considering oil, natural prices not equally around the that the price for natural gas higher in Asia than elsewhere (Europe is about the price Asia and the US about a to a half that of Europe (yay fracking!)), much more profitable for them to export to Asia. Edit: After doing some research, I that there was a for a Qatar-Turkey in (see ). was proposed connect to Nabucco, which hasn't been built. The articles that link Syrian civil war, or more specifically Qatari involvement in said that wants a Muslim government to build the which Saudi coolness to the the (Saudi rebels the war) and the fact Qatar also funded the uprisings Libya and Egypt, in pipeline. In other words, the idea that the civil war is mostly about gas pipelines rather like people trying to find some
 $25 billion/yr, about 2% of Russia's GDp, and a big soUrce
oF haRd cUrRencY, but Also important iS russIa's use of its gas pipelineS to
EuRoPE to tHReAten tO cut off SUpPLIes To CoUntRiES iN EastErn And CentRal
Europe, wHicH wOuld not be posSIbLe if there wEre A gulf source oF gaS
availAbLe. SAUdi ArAbiA and QAtar haVE a lot oF gas that iS gOIng to wASte or
is STAyIng iN the ground, so they cOUlD Easily supply thE EuropEaN MaRKEt.
SUppOsedly, AssaD tUrned DOwn the dEAl, AND The CIvil war starteD shortly
aftER.

~~~
jcRanmer
thE maIN RussiAn altErNAtiVe pipeline I'M awaRe of is NabUcco, whICh would BE
from IrAq, AzerBaiJan, And TURkMeNisTaN Via tUrKey, bUlgAria, RomaNiA,
HUngarY, AusTRIA And GErmAny. I'Ve not Been aware of anY piPeliNE prOjectS
from qataR aNd SauDi ArabIa--theIr Natural gas is expOrteD mostly viA LNg.
COnsIdEring THat, unlIke Oil, Natural Gas pricES arE nOT PRiCed equally around
thE wORLd, And that tHe pricE FoR nATural gas Is MucH, mucH HIgher In AsIA
tHan elsewHere (EuROpE iS about 20% tHe Price oF ASia And The US ABout A third
To a half tHat of eUrope (yay frackiNG!)), it's much more pROfITAbLE for TheM
to export to asia.

eDit: AFter DOiNg sOMe resEarch, i dID fINd that there was a propOsAl for a
qatar-turkey pipelinE in 2010 (see
[httpS://WEB.archive.Org/wEB/20120228125310/hTTp://pipelinesi...](htTps://weB.archive.orG/Web/20120228125310/http://pIpeliNesinterNational.cOM/News/pipeLinE_prOjeCts_IN_ThE_middle_east/040183)
). It WAS proPoSed to coNneCt to NabUccO, whIch HasN't Been built. the
articLeS tHaT lInk The SyRIan civil WaR, or MoRe sPecifICally QAtari
InvoLvEmENt iN said waR, CoNTEnd tHaT QAtar WanTs A MuslIm BrOTheRhood
goVernment tO buILd thE pIpEline, whIch ignores SauDi Coolness to ThE idEa of
thE PIpeline (SAudi Arabia also funds rebeLS in the cIviL war) aNd thE fact
that qatAr also FunDEd the uPrisinGs in LIbYa aND egypt, IN ThE paTh Of no
contenDED piPelinE.

IN othEr words, The idea that the SyriAN ciVil war is mostlY abOut gAS
PiPelINeS LooKs RAthER Like people tryinG to find somE
 $25 billion/yr, about 2%of Russia' s GDP , a ndabigsour ce
of hard cur r ency , but also important i s Rus si a 's u s eof it s gas p i pe l i nes  t oEur op e  t o thr eat en to c ut off sup pli es  to countrie s  i n Easternand  Central
Eur ope , whic hwou l d not  be  poss ible i f  there  were a g ul f  sourc e  of gas a va ilab le. Saudi Arabiaa nd Qatar have a l ot ofga s  t h a t i s g oing to wa st e ori s stayi n gi n the ground, so th ey could ea s ily  suppl ythe Europe an ma rk e t.Supposedly,  Ass ad turned  downt he deal ,  and th e civi l w arstar t ed  s hor tl y 
af t er .
~ ~~jcranmer 
T he  main  Rus s i a n  alt ern ativ e pip eline I'm awa reof i s  Na bucco , whi ch w ou ld be 
fromIraq,  A zerbaijan, andTurk menistanvia  T urk ey , Bul g aria,Rom ani a,
Hung ary, Au s tri aa n d  G ermany. I've not b ee n aw are of a ny pip e li ne projects 
f rom  Qat a r  andSaud i  A rabia--t heir n a tu ra l gas i sexport ed  mo stl y via LNG. 
Consi dering t hat,u nlike oil, nat u ral gas price s  a r e  n o t pr ice d equally a roun d 
the  wor l d,  an d  that  thepr i ce for natural gas ismu ch, mu ch hi gher in Asiathan elsew h e r e (Europ e is ab o ut 20% the pri ce of  Asia andt he US ab out a  third
t o a halft h at of Eu rop e ( yay  fr a c ki ng!)), it's m u c h mo re  profit abl e for t hem 
to  ex por tto Asia.
Edit: A ft er  d oi ngsomer esearch,  I  di dfin d tha t  there  wasa pr op os a l f or a
Qa t ar - T urke ypi peli nein  2010  (se e 
[h ttps:// web.archi ve. o rg/w eb /2 0120228 125310/http:/ /p ipelinesi. .. ](h ttps:/ / w eb.archi ve.org/web/201202281253 1 0/http: //p ipeli nesi nternatio nal .com/n ews / pipeli ne_pro jects _i n_t h e _midd l e _e ast /0 40183)
).I t  wa s pro po sedto conn ect to Nabucco, wh i chhasn't been b uil t. T h e 
a rti c le s  th at lin k the Syrian civi l war, ormo r especifical l y Q at ari
inv olvemen t ins aid war , contend  that Qat ar  wan t s  aMuslim Bro therhood 
governme n t tob ui ld th e p ipelin e,  wh ich i gnores Sau di co olness  t o theideaof 
the pip eline (Saudi Arabia als o fund s reb els  in the c ivi l  wa r) and th e fa ct
that Qa tar  al so fu nde d  theupri s in gsi n Lib ya a n d Egypt,i nthe p at h of no
con t e n ded  pipe lin e .

Inothe r words, the idea that the Syria n ci v i l w ari s mo st ly about gas
p ipe li n e s looksra ther like p eople tr yi n g tofind s ome
 $25_billion/yr, about_2% of Russia's GDP,_and a_big_source
of hard_currency,_but also important_is Russia's use_of its gas pipelines_to
Europe to threaten_to_cut off supplies to countries in Eastern and Central
Europe, which would not be possible_if_there were_a_gulf_source of gas
available. Saudi Arabia_and Qatar have a lot_of gas_that is going to waste or
is staying in_the_ground, so they_could easily supply the European market.
Supposedly, Assad turned down_the deal, and the civil war_started shortly
after.

~~~
jcranmer
The main_Russian_alternative_pipeline I'm aware of_is Nabucco, which would be
from Iraq,_Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan via Turkey, Bulgaria,_Romania,
Hungary, Austria and Germany. I've not been_aware of any pipeline projects
from Qatar_and Saudi Arabia--their natural gas_is exported_mostly via LNG.
Considering that, unlike_oil, natural gas_prices are_not priced equally_around
the world, and that the price_for natural gas_is much, much higher in Asia
than_elsewhere_(Europe is about_20%_the_price of_Asia and the_US_about a_third
to_a half that of Europe (yay_fracking!)),_it's much more profitable for them
to export_to Asia.

Edit: After doing_some_research, I did find_that there was a proposal_for a
Qatar-Turkey pipeline in 2010 (see
[https://web.archive.org/web/20120228125310/http://pipelinesi...](https://web.archive.org/web/20120228125310/http://pipelinesinternational.com/news/pipeline_projects_in_the_middle_east/040183)
)._It was_proposed to_connect to Nabucco, which hasn't been built. The
articles that link the_Syrian civil war, or more specifically_Qatari
involvement in said war,_contend that_Qatar_wants a Muslim_Brotherhood
government_to build_the pipeline, which ignores Saudi coolness to_the idea_of
the pipeline (Saudi Arabia also funds_rebels in the civil_war)_and the fact
that Qatar also funded_the uprisings in Libya and Egypt,_in the path of no
contended_pipeline.

In_other_words, the idea that the_Syrian civil war is mostly about_gas
pipelines looks rather_like people trying to find some