6 chapters across the catalog
A map of NATO bases reveals that Iran is geographically surrounded by U.S. and allied military installations, particularly in Afghanistan and Turkey. The discussion notes the strategic importance of protecting oil and poppy fields in the region while maintaining pressure on the Iranian borders.
Baluchistan Independence Movement, TAPI Pipeline, Pakistan Disappearances
Reports indicate that the Pakistan Army has caused 15,000 people to disappear in the Baluchistan region during a struggle for independence. Nationalist leaders claim that U.S. resources intended for combating Al-Qaeda are being diverted to suppress the Baluch people. The conflict is linked to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, which runs through the disputed territory.
A massive power outage in India affected 600 million people, leading to speculation about the cause. While officials deny that overdrawing the grid was the reason, the event coincided with a roadshow for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline. Some suggest the blackout served as a "test" or a way to pressure regional cooperation on energy infrastructure.
At the G20 summit in Chicago, President Obama reportedly snubbed the President of Pakistan over drone strike tensions. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan signed a deal for the TAPI pipeline to run through Afghanistan to India and Pakistan. The hosts note that drone strikes in Waziristan continued immediately following the diplomatic friction.
The geopolitical struggle between the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) and IPI (Iran-Pakistan-India) pipelines is detailed. The hosts explain that the U.S. supports the TAPI project, dubbed the "New Silk Road," to bypass Iran and Russia. Key locations like Balochistan and the Chinese-built port of Gwadar are identified as critical flashpoints in this "pipeline war."
U.S. Ambassador to London Louis Sussman stated on BBC Breakfast that the United States is in Pakistan for the long term to ensure government stability and defeat the Taliban. Despite the interviewer's attempt to correct him to "Afghanistan," Sussman doubled down on Pakistan. The hosts speculate this presence is actually about securing the Turkmenistan pipeline and regional nuclear assets.
