>" the most obvious motive for Russia to blow the pipeline: For Russia to show that it could, and it would. That the pipeline nominally benefits Russia is usefu

>" the most obvious motive for Russia to blow the pipeline: For Russia to show that it could, and it would. That the pipeline nominally benefits Russia is useful ambiguity." I don't follow this reasoning. The kind of expertise required to detonate a bomb underwater is likely something any developed country with a reasonably equipped navy/intelligence agency could pull off. Unlike something like Stuxnet, this seems rudimentary in comparison. As dysfunctional and diminished as Russia may be today, I don't think anyone assumed this was something they couldn't do.