and $46 billion worth of Chinese investment into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which will enable China to import Middle East oil through Gwadar port, and up to its western-most Xinjiang province. Not only would this strategy lead to greater development in a province prone to secessionist tendencies, it would also reduce China’s reliance on the South China Sea. Any potential extension of CPEC northwards could tie South Asia, Western China with Central Asia and Russia — a nightmare scenario for US interests.

It is no surprise, therefore that the US has been active in Balochistan. A 2009 article in UK’s The Guardian stated that Blackwater, the notorious US private mercenary firm, was operating in Balochistan based on the claims of an ex-US official. The killing of Taliban leaderMullah Akhtar Mansour by a drone strike in Balochistan earlier this year indicates continued US surveillance and involvement in the region. Hawks inside US military circles also do no make any secret of their hopes of redrawing the Middle East and South Asia, which is perhaps best reflected in the “Blood Borders” map published in the Armed Forces Journal that depicts a “Free Balochistan.” For the US, a Balochistan in turmoil is in its best interest to ensure China remains on the back foot.

Connecting the Dots:

Based on this analysis, a simple pattern emerges. The US, India and post-nuclear deal Iran stand on one side, and Pakistan, China and Russia on the other. with Gwadar being at the focal point. The almost 160 people killed in Balochistan so far