THatcher: Greetings

Dead on. Capitalism's divide et impera always stood in way of world integration.

The thriving Old Silk Road was cut short in 632AD by Sunni Capitalist Kaliphate sitting smack in the middle with Tariffs, an Arabic word.

This cartel of Sunni muscle and Jewish money milked the world till Christians expelled them both from Spain, opening a way to new routes (and lands). Western Capitalism took over, and repeating Kaliphate practice of trade route control.

Today, China flush with cash intends to integrate Asia, Europe, and Africa in one land base market with NSR/OBOR. Capitalism again wants to throw "monkey's wrench" as you say by controlling the route.

This time they will fail. China, Russia, India are all creating Shia Crescent with Iran in lead. The Shia and Christians have always favoured free trade and integration - were allies even during Crusades whose primary objective was to free trade and re-open the Silk Road. It failed then, but there will be no encore.