War Ramping Up

Oh no, reports are coming in that the US may restart strikes against Iran. This would likely result in Iran targeting desalination plants in the Gulf, just as the region enters the summer months. For those who do not know, countries like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar rely on desalinated sea water for their potable water supply. Dubai, Doha etc will be unliveable without fresh water and their buildings also require air-conditioning because their daily highs can reach 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit).

Imagine 15 million people from the region moving out and arriving in the West, all within a month. Yeah, that'd be a problem.

Syria - Deals Were Done

The best explanation I've seen of recent events in Syria, is it was about the natural gas resources of the Persian Gulf. There were two proposals for pipelines to Europe; one was to take gas from Iran, through Iraq, then Syria, and then under the sea to Greece. The other was to establish a pipeline from Qatar, through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, and then to Bulgaria. 

Assad favoured the Iranian pipeline, while his adversaries backed that from Qatar. Clearly, Assad chose the wrong option. From a business standpoint, both proposals lower the cost of gas in Europe as they avoid using tankers, and cut out Russia as a source of supply. 

Meanwhile, Russia has won in Ukraine, so they give up Syria and take a large chunk of the former. Zelensky will be fuming. Russia has been working on building up in Libya, and so they'll presumably move their presence in the Med to that country, and gain a better location, being able to effectively cut the sea in half, rather the way Britain did when it controlled Malta. 

I have noticed the propaganda news pieces coming out of Syria, they are laughable; al Jazeera are particularly bad, anyone would think the new regime in Syria were choir boys and everything is sweetness and light.

Qatar 2022: Best World Cup Ever?

Thank you Qatar, for putting on an excellent tournament. The jealousy is tangible (see attached link), but all these critics can go and shove their heads in a bucket full of water. This must go down as the best world cup event ever.

There have been several boil overs, upsets, and an African team through to the semi-finals for the first time. Things have gone off without a hitch. And what about alcohol? Who needs it, get over yourselves all you drunks. I'm glad Qatar changed position and banned the sale of beer at stadiums. 

And regarding deaths during construction; the time to bring this up was back then, during construction. Now is not the time to be raising the issue. Personally, I'm amazed they built the entire infrastructure so quickly and so well. Good job, Qatar.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-11517297/FIFA-locked-legal-disputes-Qatari-authorities.html