Members of Donald Trump’s former campaign team are now involved in seeking a $200 million contract to build a gas pipeline in Bosnia, the latest instance of individuals from the former president’s circle blending political activity with business interests.
Pipeline Project and Key Players
Jesse Binnall, an attorney who advanced legal challenges to the 2020 election results, and Joe Flynn, who also worked to undermine the election outcome, have been in Bosnia this week discussing the Southern Gas Interconnection pipeline project. The pipeline is designed to reduce the Balkan region’s dependence on Russian gas.
AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, the company represented by Binnall and Flynn, has not yet been awarded the contract. According to Binnall, meetings with Bosnian ministers were preliminary, focused on assessing the project’s potential.
Geopolitical Implications
Bosnia currently imports almost all of its gas supplies from Russia. The pipeline would allow the country to import energy from the US and other sources, potentially lessening Moscow’s influence in the region. This development comes as much of Europe has reduced its reliance on Russian gas following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
AAFS Infrastructure and Energy was formed just two months ago in Wyoming and currently lacks a demonstrated track record in the energy industry. Its website features imagery evoking American strength but does not list its staff, only stating they possess “decades of combined experience.”
Broader Context: The Flynn Family and Regional Influence
The involvement of the Flynn family extends beyond Joe Flynn’s pursuit of the pipeline contract. His brother, Michael Flynn, previously served as national security advisor to Trump and was later convicted of lying to the FBI regarding dealings with Russia before receiving a presidential pardon in 2020. Michael Flynn has recently become an advocate for Milorad Dodik, a Bosnian Serb leader described as one of Vladimir Putin’s strongest allies in Europe.
Furthermore, members of the Trump family, including Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, along with Jared Kushner, previously pursued a $500 million Trump Tower project in Belgrade, Serbia, though that effort was ultimately unsuccessful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Southern Gas Interconnection pipeline?
The pipeline is designed to reduce Bosnia’s reliance on gas imports from Russia by connecting the country to a liquefied natural gas terminal on Croatia’s Adriatic coast.
Who is Jesse Binnall?
Jesse Binnall is an attorney who worked on legal actions supporting Donald Trump’s claims of a stolen 2020 election and has been involved in defending Trump in cases related to the January 6th Capitol Hill assault.
What role did the US embassy play in this project?
The US embassy in Sarajevo posted on X (formerly Twitter) about a meeting between Bosnian leaders, Binnall, and Flynn, stating it reaffirmed a commitment to cooperation and investment in the pipeline project, and has been supporting the company.
As this project moves forward, it remains to be seen whether AAFS Infrastructure and Energy will secure the contract and what impact the involvement of these individuals will have on the project’s implementation and the broader geopolitical landscape of the Balkans.
