US Trump-linked figures in Bosnian pipeline deal row
In a move that has sparked controversy, US officials connected to former President Donald Trump are pushing for a lucrative European pipeline contract. Jesse Binnall and Joe Flynn, who worked on Trump's failed bid to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, have been in talks with Bosnian leaders about building a $200m gas pipeline.
Binnall and Flynn represent AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, a company that was formed just two months ago. Despite having no apparent track record in the industry, they claim to bring "decades of combined experience" across energy, infrastructure, finance, and international project development.
The Southern Gas Interconnection pipeline would reduce Bosnia's reliance on Russian gas and provide an alternative route for US companies. However, some critics have raised concerns about the involvement of Trump-linked figures in the deal.
Binnall downplayed any potential conflicts of interest, stating that his company is "pursuing opportunities through standard diplomatic and commercial channels." Flynn's brother Michael, who served as national security adviser to Trump during his first term, has recently become an ally of Bosnian leader Milorad Dodik, a vocal supporter of Vladimir Putin.
Dodik has been labeled by some as a "defender of Christian values" but has also been sanctioned by the US for alleged corruption and divisive rhetoric. The pipeline deal comes amid reports that Trump's family members are actively involved in business ventures across the former Yugoslavia.
The Bosnia foreign ministry announced a meeting between Binnall, Flynn, and its minister to reaffirm shared commitments to cooperation and investment. As tensions over the pipeline contract continue to build, one thing is clear: this project has the potential to reshape Europe's energy landscape β and expose deep divisions within Trump's inner circle.
In a move that has sparked controversy, US officials connected to former President Donald Trump are pushing for a lucrative European pipeline contract. Jesse Binnall and Joe Flynn, who worked on Trump's failed bid to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, have been in talks with Bosnian leaders about building a $200m gas pipeline.
Binnall and Flynn represent AAFS Infrastructure and Energy, a company that was formed just two months ago. Despite having no apparent track record in the industry, they claim to bring "decades of combined experience" across energy, infrastructure, finance, and international project development.
The Southern Gas Interconnection pipeline would reduce Bosnia's reliance on Russian gas and provide an alternative route for US companies. However, some critics have raised concerns about the involvement of Trump-linked figures in the deal.
Binnall downplayed any potential conflicts of interest, stating that his company is "pursuing opportunities through standard diplomatic and commercial channels." Flynn's brother Michael, who served as national security adviser to Trump during his first term, has recently become an ally of Bosnian leader Milorad Dodik, a vocal supporter of Vladimir Putin.
Dodik has been labeled by some as a "defender of Christian values" but has also been sanctioned by the US for alleged corruption and divisive rhetoric. The pipeline deal comes amid reports that Trump's family members are actively involved in business ventures across the former Yugoslavia.
The Bosnia foreign ministry announced a meeting between Binnall, Flynn, and its minister to reaffirm shared commitments to cooperation and investment. As tensions over the pipeline contract continue to build, one thing is clear: this project has the potential to reshape Europe's energy landscape β and expose deep divisions within Trump's inner circle.