The New Great Game
The New Great Game is a conceptualization of modern geopolitics in Central Asia and Middle East as a competition between the great powers of the world for "influence, power, hegemony and profits in Central Asia and the Caspian Sea. The players who are competing in this region include the last remaining superpower, the United States, its main challenger China and a reinvigorated Russia, which regards Central Asia as its "backyard", among others.
In order to get access to desired resources and control over pipelines, tanker routes, petroleum consortiums and contracts, the United States decided to use the know-how gained during Operation Cyclone to conduct a similar operation. The US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its GCC proxies arm, train and fund militants to spread terrorism and destabilize the region surrounding Russia and China.

Major zones where these major powers are playing their New Great Game of power are:
1. Central Asia and Caspian Sea
2. Indian Ocean
3. Encirclement of China
4. Dismemberment of Pakistan(Creation of Greater Baluchistan)
5. Middle East (Syria,Iraq,Egypt,Iran)

(I)Central Asia and Caspian Sea:
Central Asia, comprising of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and the energy-rich lake called the Caspian Sea, owes its significance to its vast economic potential and its geo-strategic location and is fast becoming an economic center of the world. Due to growing markets, an increased potential for trade in agricultural commodities and a service sector niche open to be exploitation, Central Asian republics can be vital trade links between Europe and Asia. However, regional and trans-regional states are very well aware that it’s the energy resource endowment in Central Asia which is of prime importance. These energy reserves form a basis for economic growth and development. Central Asia is, in fact, poised to become a major world supplier of energy, especially in the oil and gas sectors.
The players broadly involved in the game, include the United States, Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, India, and of course Pakistan. Of these, some of the bigger powers such as Russia and the US are more major players and constitute more to the game then the others.

Importance of Central Asia due to Natural Reservoirs:

Three major players who are competing for these natural reservoirs (Hydro carbons and other) of Central Asia and Caspian sea are Russia, China and US.



i) Russia:
Russian company ‘Gazprom’ has traditional control over the Hydro carbon reservoirs of Caspian sea. All the gas and oil Riggs and pipelines explored before 1991 are still controlled by Russia. A total of seven different pipelines are leading to Russia. It has kept exploitative tendency.


ii) US , Britain and Spain:
Major companies like Gasonor and Oncor have creeping presence in the Central Asian energy reservoirs. Baku Tbilisi Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline is operational since 2008 and providing oil from Caspian sea. This area lies under the exclusive zone of Azerbaijan. In plan B and C , this pipeline will be extended to Kazikistan, Turkeministan to aquire more oil from Caspian sea.
Secondly , there are 7 gas pipelines , the longest of all is from Turkamnistan to Spain.
Thirdly, TAPI (Turkaministan, Afghanistan, Pakistan , India) gas pipeline project sponsored by gasanal. It must have been completed by 2011 but due to security tensions in Afghanistan and Pakistan it is still pending , now the new deadline is by 2016.

iii) China
a) Chinse company CNPC(China National Power Company) has made phenomenal presence since 2004 onwards. China-Kazakistan gas pipeline completed in 2009 that supply gas to China.
Plan B and C includes the extension of this pipeline to Uzbakistan and Turkamanistan to increase pressure or volume of gas by Dec 31,2014.
b) China is interested to become transit route of energy supply line (gas pipeline) to ASEAN and Far-East Asia ( Taiwan , Japan, North and South Korea).
c) In July 2013, CNPC successfully completed world 2nd biggest rig of oil and gas in Turkamanistan.
This competition between the major powers of the world i.e Russian, US , Britain, China has given rise to security tensions in the region.
Martha Brill Olcott , considered to be the authority on Central Asia. She wirtes that ‘China would replace US and Russia because it doesn’t intervenes in internal affairs. However, US wants Capitalism (Democracy) and Russia wants Communism which they use as a reason for their intervention.
(1) Geo Strategic Importance of Central Asia and Caspian Sea:
Central Asian republic is landlocked so it has only three major routes to reach to sea
i) Northern Distribution Network(NDN) Eurasia till Turkey which is 6200KM long route.
ii) Via Iran which will take it 3400 KM to reach the sea
iii) Via Pakistan which further can take three different routes within Pak
a. Gawadar-Chaman-Afghanistan-Central Asia
b. Gawadar-Pesh-Kabul-Tarmite(Uzbakistan)
c. Gawadar-Karachi-Lahore-Hasanabdal-KKH-Kashghar(China)-Central
Asia

The longest route that connects Central Asia via Pakistan is 2700KM.

US Policy Regarding Geo Strategic Importance:

Northern Distribution Network(NDN) originally is NATO supply line into Afghanistan. It originates from Germany on one side and Alaska(US) to Russia via sea. It is basically for the supply of Military weapons to Afghanistan but after the completion of its PCI in 2011 , it’s now transformed as a ‘Trade Route’.
The New Silk Road is an initiative of the United States for Central Asia and Afghanistan, which aimed to integrate the region and boost its potential as a transit area between Europe and East Asia. The road will Connect Delhi at one end and NDN on another which ultimately connect to Central Asia.
Delhi-Lhr (via Wagah Border)-G.T Road-Torkham-Afghanistan-Salung Highway-NDN-Central Asia.
But peculiar geo-political, geo-economic and geo-strategic significance of the regions of South and Central Asia, and over all objectives of extra regional players and their regional allies, cannot be ignored.
The Plan B of this project is to extend this road from New Delhi to Mayanmar and ASEAN nations which was announced by former US Secretary of State’s Hillary Clinton during her visit to New Delhi in 2012.

China’s Policy Regarding Geo Strategic Importance:

China has done major investment on roads and railway lines to connect itself to Central Asian republics. In Feb,2014 Chinese and Germany’s president mutually announced the railway line from Sinkyan(China) to river Rhine(Germany) covering around 11,000 Km.
China is working on two projects to approach Arabian sea through Pakistan
i) Railway track from Kashghar to Gawadar, which is already initiated
ii) Extension of Road from Kashghar to Gawadar . Three fold extension of KKH has been already completed by China
The original plan of road was Gawadar-Quetta-DIK-Pesh-Hasanabdal- KKH-Kashghar but the current Government has changed the plan and its now Gawadar-Karachi-Lhr-H.A-KKH-Kashghar.

India’s Policy regarding Geo Strategic Importance:

India is evolving to International Row. India is working on a project to connect to Central Asia bypassing Pakistan. India-Iran-Afghanistan-Central Asia.
It has successfully completed Chabahar Sea Project. Chabahar means "Four Seasons"; that is, a port that may be used all year long. Thus its importance in the broader Iran-India strategic partnership - not only in terms of Central Asia but for India's commercial relations with Southwest Asia and the wider Middle East.
It has also successfully completed ‘Zaranj- Delaram’ highway project in Afghanistan which is around 1800KM long road and cost 300 Million USD.

Pakistan Policy regarding Geo Strategic Importance:

Pakistan geostrategic location is of immense importance as it provides
i) Shortest possible roads to Central Asian Republics
ii) Shortest possible roads to China
iii)Deepest and biggest Sea Port

(II) Indian Ocean:
Due to the confluence of common strategic interests shared by the world's major powers, a new great game is emerging in the Indian Ocean region. All the major powers including US, China, Pakistan and India have fostered initiatives and forums to attract and project their power and influence.

1) United States :

After the second world war in 1946, US voluntarily offered all the world powers its services to protect the sea communication lines or sea trade routes. It dropped its navy to the sea and now have seven operational naval fleets.
i) 1 Naval fleet is in Mediterranean sea
ii) 7th Naval fleet which is world’s biggest naval fleet, is in East China sea
iii) Have strong presence on both sides of Strait of Malacca(South China Sea) which is a direct threat for China
iv) World’s invincible submarine (Colorado) is in Arabian sea.
v) US has around 26 military bases that encircle China , these includes bases in Austrailia, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Philippine, Kirgizistan , Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and others.

2) China :

China is adopting a “string of pearls” strategy of bases stretching from the Middle East to southern China. These “pearls” were naval bases or electronic eavesdropping posts built by the Chinese in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistani and Sri Lanka. The purpose was to project its power overseas and protect its oil shipments. China has added its ever first Naval fleet and claims that Naval presence is for its own protection. However, India and the western world criticized the Chinese policy.

3) India:

India has heavily invested in South China sea and has successfully completed its Naval Base in coastal area of Philippine. It also has 3 naval bases in Indian ocean and has also successfully completed ‘Chabahar sea port’.

4) Pakistan:

Pakistan have two naval bases in Karachi and Urmara Gawadar. It has comparatively a small naval power but since 2004 its immense naval collaboration with China has enhanced its Naval capability.
Pakistan has potential to block the world trade route. "Gwadar is now emerging on the map of the world and people around the world are looking at the opportunities available here”, said former president of Pakistan Parvez Musharraf.

5) Iran:

Iran has smaller naval power but is arising. It is working on the policy of ‘build many’. It has naval capability to block or atleast disturb the small flow of trade through the strait of hormuz.

(III) Encirclement of China

i) US has deployed one Naval fleet is in Mediterranean sea
ii) 7th Naval fleet which is world’s biggest naval fleet, is in East China sea
iii) It has strong presence on both sides of Strait of Malacca(South China Sea) which is a direct threat for China
iv) World’s invincible submarine (Colorado) is in Arabian sea.
v) US has around 26 military bases that encircle China , these includes bases in Austrailia, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Philippine, Kirgizistan , Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and others.

(IV) Middle East

This new great game was launched and executed successfully in the Middle East, toppling several regimes and replacing them with not-so-stable alternatives. Its second phase is aimed at balkanizing the entire Gulf region, carving out new, weaker but smaller units, ruled by terrorist-cum-sectarian outfits and ethnic groups.

1) Syria:

What is happening in Syria is no longer about a democratic movement against a dictatorship, nor is it simply a civil war between two camps. Syria has become the theater of a proxy war which is spilling over to its neighbors. Consequently, to focus only on the departure of President Bashar al-Assad is a strategy doomed to failure because it will not solve the conflict. The crisis is spreading far beyond the person of Bashar al Assad. As a result, demanding the departure of the dictator will not achieve a lasting ceasefire to stop the bloodshed and a transition to a brighter political future for the Syrian people.

i) Geo Strategic Location:

Syria borders Israel, long shared border with Iraq, small portion with Iran, Lebanon and a long coastal belt open to the sea. Syria is the only country in Arab world where Russia has its Naval base. Russia would take all measures in order to defend Syria against any aggression.
Iran has been the major supplier of weapons and ammunition to Hizbullah fighters of Lebanon through Syria. Syria has also a long troubled history with Israel as it has a shared border at ‘Golan Heights’ , invaded by Israel but was owned originally by Syria. It could be easily controlled by Golan Heights. Egypt and Syria played major role in all Arab wars of 1956, 1967, 1974 and others. Predominantly Israel have tensions with Syria due to its strong relation with Hizbullah fighters in Lebanon.
Russian along with Iran and other gas producing countries of the world are in a process to make a gas producing organization like ‘OPEC’ that would become a block confronting US which will be leaded by Russia. Here, Syria plays a vital role due to the vast reservoirs of gas and that pipelines would cross through Syria bypassing Israel.

ii) Sectarian conflict:

There are two major players in the sectarian conflict of Syria , one of them is Iran and the other is Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has been the traditional leader of Muslim Ummah and is a Sunni country. After 1979 revolution Iran has expansionist designs and has more revolutionary tendencies which are a direct potential threat to Saudi Arabia. In Syria, the rule of Saudi Arabia was rejected by Iran so the political conflict has turned into a religious conflict.
Iran has been supporting Shiite Alvi government while Saudi Arabia is supporting the Syrian rebels Free Syrian Army(FSA).

iii) Societal (Demographic) Reality:

a) Generally the inhabitants of Syria are Sunni , particularly Salafi school of thought that constitutes around 65%.
b) Alvis (Alawites) Shiite school of thought (12%)
c) Kurds around 12%
d) Christians around 4%, and
e) Jews

iv) Political Reality:

The minority Alawites regime has been in power since 1970. Hafizul Asad reigned from 1970 to 2000 and Basharul Asad has been ruling since 2000 onwards. The very speciality of Alawites regime is that they successfully kept a secular posture and have not awarded any specific sect. Basharul Asad promised to bring reforms in Syria but unfortunately he didn’t because of which the rebels stood against him.

v) Major Fighting Groups Syria:

Fighting between the Syrian government , rebels and militant groups is going on in Aleppo, Raisul Ail , Homez and Hamal etc.

Some of the major fighting groups in Syria are
a) Government forces who are assisted financially and militarily by Iran and Russia. The Lebanese militant group Hizbullah is also aiding Syrian government.
b) Free Syrian Army(FSA) is predominantly a Sunni sect group fighting the Shiite sect group. It’s a political rebel rather than a religious one.
c) Islamic State(IS) originally Islamic State of Iraq and Sham(ISIS), predominantly controlling the Aleppo province and eastern areas adjacent to Iraq and Kurds. It’s a political and religious rebel group.
d) Al-Qaeda which is purely a religious militant group and somewhat presence of Tehrike Taliban Pakistan(TTP).

vi) Affects of War in Syria:

Social Effect:

a) Human Loss:

United Nation report released in Aug, 2014 states that more than 200,000 individuals lost their lives since the beginning of war in 2011. More than 4 Million people are living as refugees in neighbouring countries. Majority in Jordan where more than a Million people took refuge while others in Turkey, Saudi Arabia , Iraq and Lebanon. The report also states that more than 8 Million people are living as IDPs(Internally Displaced Persons).

b) Economic Loss:

In 2011 before the beginning of the war 1USD was equivalent to 39 Syrian Dollars, but now the value of Syrian dollar has deteriorated and 1USD is equivalent to 422 Syrian Dollars.
UNDP reports that there is a fall of 300 times in the Syrian exports. This is due to the fact that all the fighting groups are trying to capture more and more finance generating resources i.e oil and gas reservoirs and agricultural income etc.

Political Effect:

The writ of the state is limited now to a number of cities eg Damascus and Kurd are out of Government control. Aleppo is almost in control of Islamic State(IS). Major chunk of Syria, after the government is controlled by Free Syrian Army(FSA). The Kurds fighters have mostly remained in Syrian armed forces and in national politics so there is a strong possibility of creation of Kurds state stretching from Northern Iraq where they are in majority, Syria, Turkey and Iran where they have fourth largest majority.
Kurds have been successful in expelling Al-Qaeda and FSA from their area as both of them were focusing on the government and not the Kurds. Kurds have established probationary government in Syria and now in process of constitution, if they continue with same pace then they may have their own state. The only country that verbally supported the Kurd state is Israel as Israel is opposing Syrian government policy of supporting Iran and Hizbullah. US and Israel policies contradict each other on this issue where Israel supports a separate Kurd state while US believes in their unification policy.

In Aug 2013, there was a high possibility of US Military strike on Syria, after hundreds of Syrians died from Sarin gas rockets fired from territories within Syria. US and its allies said that the gas was used by Syrian government while Russia, Iran and Basharul Asad government blamed US for the brutal killings of civilians. US didn't launch attack on Syria.

(Note *** WHY US didn't Launch attack on Syria after the use of Sarin gas that killed around 1400 civilianz ? )

Al-Qaeda and ISIS are fighting against the Syrian regime and it is the worldwide US policy to fight these militant organizations. If US at that time would attack Syrian government than it would mean that US fighted would fight as an Ally of Al-Qadea and IS against the Syrian regime. Thus it didn't launch any attack against Syria.
US congress didn’t approve US assault against Syria despite the fact that Secretary of State John Kerry said in the upper house that all war expenses will be afforded by Saudi Arab and Bahrain. US was also not in a position to open new war zone especially when there was high probability of Russian confrontation as Russian PM and its Foreign Minister said “ Russia would take all possible measures to ensure safety of Syria”.

NOTE:

Kindly Correct the abbreviation

Wrong :CNPC(China National Power Company)
Correct : CNPC(China National Petroleum Corporation)