Explosions along two main pipelines that carry gas from Russia to Georgia are being blamed on Russia forces by the Georgian leader, Mikhail Saakashvili.
Georgia and Russia have been at odds ever since the West-leaning Saakashvili came to power in 2003. He has consistently accused the Putin government of trying to undermine him and has infuriated Moscow by inviting US military advisors to train his forces in anti-insurgency operations.
It’s hard to say if this latest petro-pressure was okayed by Moscow, but following on the heels of the stand-off with Ukraine, complaints from European nations that their Russian gas supplies have been diverted and Iran’s bellicose comments over cutting off oil supplies, it seems that energy could become a potent weapon in 2006.