We start this month’s episode by looking at the recent escapades of our good friend Mikhail Saakashvili. We begin by looking at Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko’s appointment of Saakashvili as governor of Odessa. Christoph and I discuss how this corrupt war criminal will now be in charge of a politically and economically important region of Ukraine. We also touch on the tricky game that is being played with Saakashvili and his Georgian citizenship. Later we focus on why Saakashvili was chosen to rule this region, focusing mostly on the bordering pro-Russian breakaway state of Transnistria. Christoph explains how Saakashvili may be part of a concerted effort to foment a proxy war between the West and Russia by using Transnistira as a staging ground. We talk about the deportation of Russian troops by the Moldovian government, as well as the placement of anti-aircraft missiles on the border between Ukraine and Transnistria.
Our second story is a look at the political situation in Azerbaijan. The unending tit-for-tat fight between Azerbaijan and the US continues, as the Caucasus nation yet again cracks down on pro-western forces. Christoph and I also take a look at the European Games which are being played right now in Baku. We discuss how Azerbaijan has used the Games as a pretext to ban both Amnesty International and the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe. Christoph also updates us on recent pipeline-politics developments in Azerbaijan.
For our third story we turn once again to the Northern Afghanistan and the increased fighting going on there. We break down some of the recent victories the Taliban has had over Afghan forces throughout Badakshan Province. The once untouched region is now slowly falling bit by bit to Taliban fighters, while the West continues to downplay the security situation in the North. Christoph and I also update our listeners on some of the recent peace talks taking place in Xinjiang between the Taliban and the Afghan government, brokered by Pakistan’s ISI. We end this section by looking at recent defections of Taliban fighters to ISIS and how ISIS is slowly becoming the dominant force in Afghanistan.
We close out this month’s episode with two bizarre stories that touch on ongoing Gladio operations. First we talk about the most recent high profile ISIS fighter to emerge, Tajik commander Gulmurod Halimov, what he might actually be up to and the similarities between him and other Gladio/CIA operatives. We finish off with an interesting terrorism case in London that had to be stopped when it became clear that MI6 was arming and funding the very group the state was going after.
Show Notes:
Saakashvili’s appointment in Odessa:
The New Great Game Round-Up #97 – Saakashvili’s Appointment Spells More Trouble For Transnistria
The New Great Game Round-Up #99 – Poroshenko & Saakashvili Open Another Front In Ukrainian Conflict Georgia’s ex-official becomes Odessa police chief
Saakashvili Gets Down To Business In Odesa
Azerbaijan – European Games, Russian Nabucco:
The New Great Game Round-Up #99 – New Pipeline Projects Leave “Land Of Fire” Out In The Cold
OMV bastelt eine russische Nabucco-Pipeline (German)
Die Presse: OMV May Be Planning ‘Russian Nabucco’ Gas Pipeline
Afghan spillover:
The New Great Game Round-Up #96 – Tajikistan, CSTO Prepare For Afghan Spillover
The New Great Game Round-Up #98 – Afghan Spillover High On The Agenda During CSTO, SCO Meetings
Qatar Secures Release Of Taliban-Held Tajikistani Border Guards
Afghan peace talks:
The New Great Game Round-Up #97 – Renewed Hope For Afghan Peace Talks
Taliban vs. ISIS:
The New Great Game Round-Up #95 – Taliban Trying To Match ISIS Brutality As Both Groups Clash
The New Great Game Round-Up #99 – Iran Backs Taliban To Counter U.S., ISIS In Afghanistan
Weird terrorism stories:
The New Great Game Round-Up #97 – Tajikistan’s War On Islam Backfires As OMON Commander Joins ISIS
Terror trial collapses after fears of deep embarrassment to security services
Porkins Policy Review 
Comments
The word “friend” is misspelled in the first line. Guess I must have missed that. Peace, Ken
Not a fan of Christoph Germann. Clearly biased towards Russia.
While I understand that Russia vs. the West are the main players of the game, that does not mean they have some divine right to wreck havoc on smaller nations, while they’re at it. It often seems to me that Christoph Germann does believe big guns have certain privileges to do as they please, because the might is right.
I’m not sure why he makes the extra effort to be mocking towards the leaders and politicians of the regions you discuss in PGG episodes AND on his blog… When the reality is that neither the West, nor Russia (or China) respects them in the first place, along with general population of the countries they come from. What is the point of practically parading his disdain, when there’s no need for it?
If Mr. Germann is picking up on the bias of his russian friends (journalists or not) and trying to appear “in the known”, by displaying this kind of attitude… Then I must contend that their foul demeanor does not arise from any in-depth knowledge of Caucasus, Central Asia or Slavic countries – it’s a result of simple Russian chauvinism and racism. You can spot it from a mile.
Also, most of people don’t know Moldova is a country? I mean??¿¿¿??
Really, Pearse?
Peace out.
No, he isn’t and yes most people do not even Moldova is a country. I only knew because in our french canadian city’s park, it’s got flags and stats of all countries with french speaking communities. I’m pretty amazed there is French speaking Moldavians. All eastern european who used to be part of the Communist Bloc just went the extreme other way and are now NATO whores, time to shake that feeling of inferiority, Eastern Europe, you have some of the most beautiful women in the world for starters. (trying to end this lightly).
Ugh, I hope my comments are not discouraging. This podcast is greatly appreciated.
Not at all. All comments are welcomed and encouraged.
I personally do think that we offer a variety of opinions and nuance in our work. Christoph and I have made it clear many times over that we are not Putin/Russia lovers on the podcast. Yes you are right that Russia and China care nothing for their people or puppet leaders, but I dont see how that means we can’t poke fun at psychotic war criminals like Saakashvili. I do understand your reservations. There is a growing trend in the alt-media that leans to a very pro-Russian bias, much more than anything Christoph has ever written or said. It is also impossible to seperate ones own opinions and bias from reporting. I don’t always agree with Christoph’s analysis but I do think he offers a great degree of sanity and clarity in a sea of garbage.
As for Moldova, well obviously you know thst it is a country but I am sure a lot of average people don’t. I mean how many people know where Transneistria is, or Eritrea, Brunei?