Would it have ever been plausible (for instance, as a possibility, in a TL without both World Wars) to seen the Berlin-to-Baghdad Railway eventually be extended through Persia and Afghanistan and into China? The logic behind this would be to promote trade, commerce, and economic development in Persia, Afghanistan, and China (especially in central and western China) and also to do this in such a way that Germany would have its own land route to China that would not have to pass through either Russian territory (Central Asia) or British territory (British India). Having such a railway go through Russian territory and/or British territory would make Germany dependent on the goodwill of Russia and/or Britain, which would be a less secure option for Germany in the event that these powers are or ever will be hostile towards Germany in the future.
Anyway, what do you think? Such a railway would, of course, also allow Germany to significantly expand its influence in the Muslim world and thus to portray itself as a champion of Muslim independence against predatory Western imperialism--or something like that. It would also allow for German economic penetration of these regions and possibly even for greater German power projection in these regions.
Thoughts on this?
Anyway, what do you think? Such a railway would, of course, also allow Germany to significantly expand its influence in the Muslim world and thus to portray itself as a champion of Muslim independence against predatory Western imperialism--or something like that. It would also allow for German economic penetration of these regions and possibly even for greater German power projection in these regions.
Thoughts on this?