Russia and the Caucasus

Russia has always had an uneasy relationship with its bordering Caucasus states, and the discovery of massive natural resources in and around the Caspian Sea only served to fuel an already tense situation. Indeed, like many other situations around the globe, the heart of the matter is of course, oil and natural gas reserves.

While Moscow has always claimed a fear of the ‘domino-effect,’ the truth of the matter is these reserves, and the massive industrial complex that serves them. One of Russia’s most significant pipelines out of the Middle East runs directly through that region, more specifically, Chechnya with potential production of crude at nearly 20 million tons

These stakes are high and with these breakaway regions continually leaning towards NATO alliances, the Russians have a right to be nervous. Pipelines and refineries are not the only thing that Russia would lose; obviously they stand to lose a huge source of income should these regions lean to far west.

• Caucasus: Chechnya, Kabardino-Balkaria Compete For New Oil Refinery. Turkish Weekly News. April 4, 2008.
  http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/54139/caucasus-chechnya-kabardino-balkaria-compete-for-new-oil-refinery.html
• What does Russia see in Chechnya? Oil. Amina.com January 20, 1995. http://amina.com/article/wha_oil.html

GGH312 - Military Geography

Military Water Resource Control

Of all of the resources critical to the military, probably the most overlooked is water; ironically, in some instances, it is neglected to the point of being a threat to the success of an entire campaign.

Recently, during the recent US campaign in Iraq, the firm charged with ensuring that troops had adequate and safe fresh water (The Halliburton Company), failed miserably and the consequences could have been sickness and/or death for many on the ground.

In a report issued by a subsidiary (KBR) of the company, numerous logistical problems were cited as contributing to the dilemma; unskilled labor and a lack of training for personnel in charge of assembling the reverse osmosis systems, poor records that might have identified issues with the water, and confusion between civilian and military commands.

Unfortunately, one obstacle was identified as overshadowing all of those obstacles, corporate greed. It was not until a civilian employee threatened to sue the firm for refusing to permit him to be tested for potential medical concerns related to exposure to the contaminated water supply.

The report spelled out clearly those events “could have been prevented if KBR’s Reverse Osmosis Units on the site had been assembled, instead of relying on the military’s water production facilities… the company failed to assemble and use its own purification equipment, allowing contaminated water directly from the Euphrates River to be used.”

The Halliburton Company and its subsidiary simply did not use their own equipment or processes, favoring to sit back and be paid for doing nothing. In another time, this might have been considered unforgiveable or treason; today, it's just another day at the office. The Halliburton Company continues to enjoy defense contracts, including military water purification and supply.

• Associated Press. Halliburton didn't protect troops water. March 16, 2006.
• http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,188077,00.html

GGH312 - Military Geography