Energy as Russia’s Achilles Heel???

Interesting article that claims that pressure can be applied to Russia on the energy front. The claim is that two large new pipelines that Russia plans depend on US allies, and perhaps they can exert pressure on Russia. Based on the support the US has given to Georgia, I am sure these countries will antagonize Russia!

In a nutshell, Russia understands that power in a large swath of the world — Europe, the former Soviet Union and parts of the Middle East — can be exerted from control of oil and natural gas pipelines. That’s how the U.S. has inserted its power into Russia’s backyard — through the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline that crosses the country of today’s conflict, Georgia. Now, Vladimir Putin intends to build on Russia’s restored power by erecting two gigantic new natural gas pipelines into Europe, which already relies on Russia for almost a third of its gas.

Here’s where the Achilles Heel comes in. One of these pipelines — South Stream — would pass through nations like Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia and Austria. These are countries in which the U.S. has influence.

If the U.S. wants Russia’s attention, persuade these countries and others — for instance Germany, the main European partner on the second pipeline, called Nord Stream — to freeze their support for the lines until it’s satisfied that Georgia’s sovereignty is no longer compromised.