The Geopolitics of Gas: Turkmenistan's Westward Push

For Turkmenistan and its ambitions to export its vast natural gas reserves westward, Iran is a tantalizing but also potentially cheap, and quick, Plan B. Relying on a partner like Tehran, however, creates potentially profound complications. The possibility of falling prey to Western sanctions cannot be discounted. And Iran has at times proven an unreliable supplier.  Turkmenistan is already sending gas to Iran, albeit as part of a swap arrangement with Azerbaijan. Two billion cubic meters of gas are piped into remote northeastern areas of…