On this edition of Porkins Great Game, Christoph Germann and I focus primarily on the conflicts brewing in the Caucasus region. First, though, we take a look at the new head of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg. We explore how the media has crafted a particular image of the former Norwegian Prime Minster as an anti-war Russia-friendly NATO head. Christoph explains how this is merely a cosmetic change for the military alliance, pointing out the fact that the real power of the coalition lies with the Supreme Allied Commander, who is, of course, always an American. Then we move on to the recent suicide bombing in the Chechen capital of Grozny. We explore how significant that bombing is for the region. Grozny and Chechnya in general have seen a calm and stable security situation in the past several years, with neighboring Dagestan receiving the brunt of violence. Christoph goes into some of the peculiarities of the attack, and gives his opinion as to who might be behind it, and what this means in terms of the grand chess game. Later we discuss the unsigned treaty between Russia and breakaway nation Abkahzia, which would further integrate the former Gerorgian territory into Russia. We talk about the treaty itself and what it actually spells out: changing Abkazhia’s customs and tax regulations to that of the Eurasian Customs Union, giving Russia control over the armed forces during an emergency, and creating a joint military operations center. Christoph dispels the hype that NATO and Georgia have made over the treaty, essentially a projection of what NATO itself has done to Georgia. We finish the podcast by taking a look at the recent vehicular deaths of Christophe de Margerie and Serena Shim. We discuss the possibility that de Margerie’s death was planned by an outside actor, as well as what his death means for nations such as Russia which have long counted on Christophe de Margerie’s investment in oil and natural gas. As we close out with a look into the mysterious circumstances surrounding Serena Shim’s car “crash.” We point out the fact that Shim had told Press TV, the day before her death, that she had evidence of ISIS fighters entering Turkey via NGO trucks and that Turkish intelligence was looking for her. Christoph goes into detail about the role of the Turkish deep state in the Syrian conflict, and their continued use of NGO’s and aid organizations to ferry weapons and arms into Syria and other nations. We close out with a humorous look at CIA (and Gladio B) operative Graham Fuller’s futile attempts to change his public image by way of the Huffington Post.
Quick note: We now have a brand new logo for the show that was created by my sister and Porkins Policy Review contributor, Emma Redmond. If you want to check out more of her work please visit Red House.
Show notes:
NATO chief:
New NATO Chief Stoltenberg Brings Russia Ties To Job
NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg And His Top-Secret KGB Past
NATO can put troops wherever it wants, new secretary-general says
Russia says not optimistic over new NATO chief’s remarks
Grozny bombing:
The New Great Game Round-Up #69 – Terrorist Attack In Chechen Capital Spells Trouble For Russia
Who Was Behind The Grozny Suicide Bombing?
Reported Killing Of Organizer Of Grozny Suicide Bombing Lacks Credibility
Islamic State Grooms Chechen Fighters Against Putin
Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen Leader With a $5M Islamic State Bounty on his Head
Chechen leader says Islamic State on western secret services’ payroll
Report: Chechens ‘Negative’ About IS In Syria
Abkhazia:
The New Great Game Round-Up #70 – Russian Warnings Fall On Deaf Ears In Georgia
The New Great Game Round-Up #71 – Georgia Freaking Out Over Russia’s “Attempt To Annex” Abkhazia
De Facto Abkhaz Leader Risks Being Hoist With His Own Petard
Christophe de Margerie:
Anti-Petrodollar Oil CEO Dies in Freak Plane Crash – #NewWorldNextWeek
Heads roll in Russia as more details emerge of Total crash
Vnukovo Airport General Director, Deputy Director Resign After Fatal Moscow Plane Crash
Kaczynski Catastrophe Investigator to Lead Total CEO Jet Crash Probe
Episode 250 – Crashes of Convenience: PLF 101
Russia Loses Oil Ally in De Margerie After Moscow Crash
Total’s de Margerie Sees No Need for Dollars in Oil Purchases
Putin Slams US $9 Billion Fine Against French BNP As “Blackmail” For Russian Warship Deal
Serena Shim:
Turkey accuses PressTV correspondent of spying
Press TV reporter in Turkey killed in suspicious car accident
Lebanese- American reporter’s camerawoman ‘sole culprit’ in car crash
The New Great Game Round-Up #35 – Turkey: NGOs, Al-Qaeda & Erdogan
Turkey’s pivotal role in Syria’s insurgency (Serena Shim report)
BFP Exclusive: Turkish Power Struggle Impedes NATO’s Campaign in Syria
Graham Fuller:
The EyeOpener – Who is Graham Fuller
September 1999: CIA Analyst Suggests US Use Muslims to Further US Interests in Central Asia
Embracing Assad Is a Better Strategy for the U.S. Than Supporting the Least Bad Jihadis
C.I.A. Study of Covert Aid Fueled Skepticism About Helping Syrian Rebels
Porkins Policy Radio episode 1 – Boston Bombing and the CIA Connection
Music:
Porkins Policy Review 