A Eurasian Golden Triangle is emerging with China, Russia and Iran as the three key points, F. William Engdahl notes.








The latest Sino-Iranian rapprochement has prompted a lively debate regarding the new Eurasian "world order."
"Sometimes profound tectonic shifts in�the global politics arise from�the least noticed events. Such is the situation with�Iran and the recent visit to�Tehran of�China's President Xi Jinping. What emerged from�the talks confirms that the vital third leg of�what will become a genuine Eurasian Golden Triangle, of�nations committed to�peaceful economic development, is now in�place," American-German researcher, historian and strategic risk consultant F. William Engdahl writes in�his�article�for�New Eastern Outlook.


On January 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani signed almost 17 agreements on�economic and technological cooperation. Furthermore, the leaders announced they will cooperate on�the China-led One Belt One Road initiative.


The researcher calls the formal inclusion of�Iran into�China's New Economic Silk Road project "a giant positive step." According to�Engdahl, it will allow Tehran to "break years of�economic isolation" and will open doors to�the region's economic development.

Pakistani columnist Afzal Hussain echoes Engdahl's stance.
"The lifting of�economic sanctions from�Iran provides trade opportunities for�regional countries such as�Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Russia, and Central Asian Countries particularly, Tajikistan. The trade activity will generate billions of�dollars not only for�oil rich Iran but�also for�the countries having close economic relations with�Iran," Hussain noted in�his�article�for�The Nation, the Pakistani media outlet.



Hussain views Pakistan as�a "geographical corridor" between�China and Iran.


"The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project has become more vital after�latest trade accords between�Iran and China," he underscored.

The Pakistani columnist highlighted Russia's determining role in�the region and expressed his confidence that China, Pakistan, Iran and Russia will bolster trade and economic growth in�Central Asia and beyond.

Referring to�the fact that Iran currently has SCO Observer status Engdahl envisages that Iran will be formally admitted as�a full member of�the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at�their next annual meeting this summer.

In contrast to�those experts who regard the recent Sino-Iranian rapprochement as�a potential apple of�discord between�Beijing and Moscow, the researcher points to�the fact that the countries would rather create a mutually beneficial triple alliance, a future cornerstone of�a unified Eurasia.

"We're seeing the emergence of�a true Eurasian Golden Triangle with�China, Russia and Iran as�the three key points," Engdahl underscores.
"With the stated plan to�route the Silk Road rail infrastructure to�assist the mining of�new gold for�currency backing of�the Eurasian member states, including now Iran with�its significant own unexploited gold, the hyper-inflated, debt-bloated dollar system is gaining a formidable positive alternative, one committed to�peace and development," the researcher concludes.



By Sputnik