Posted on 08/21/2005 5:56:07 AM PDT by IonImplantGuru
ALMATY, Kazakhstan - When Sergei Pashevich looks at the map of Central Asia, he sees a chessboard on which a replay of the Great Game is unfolding, with oil, trade and the war on terrorism as the big global issues.
The Great Game, a term invented to define the imperial rivalries and ambitions of 19th-century Russia and Britain, now applies, in Pashevich's view, to a new, post-9/11 struggle for influence that is pitting Russia and China against the United States.
"Right now the whole Central Asian region is a field for geopolitical games," he says.
[SNIP - see article for -stan by -stan analysis in detail]
Russia and China have a strategic agreement to coordinate their moves internationally. In the 1960s Russia and China fought border skirmishes; last year they signed an accord declaring they have no more border disputes.
Russia is building a pipeline to deliver oil to China, and China is a big market for Russian arms and space technology.
"The great game as I see it won't be fought militarily," says Pashevich, the ex-soldier. "It will be fought economically, and it is there that China can win. We know that in Kazakhstan, and we are worried about China."
(Excerpt) Read more at dailystar.com ...
Did they ever build the second pipeline from the Caspian through Turkey?
The only reason that it is of any interest to Americans is the terrorist connection.
We already have our petroleum connection. The Saudis have more oil than anyone and they have it for the next 200 years.
Let the Asians fight it out for land. Absolutely nothing new there. With 1 billion+ each of Indians and Chinese, it will be interesting as their respective power needs grow proportionately to their populations.
If we Americans get too involved, it will simply mena IMMIGRATION from Central Asia to the USA.
Oh goody, just what we want, more starving, sick, needy Muslims, Hindus and former communist Chinese from some of the oldest and most corrupt countries in the world. Lol.
If China is our great competitor, etc., why have bent over backwards to assist them for the last twenty years or so? Is it that our "great leaders" cannot see beyond Feinstein's pocketbook? Is it really that banal?
Chinese play the game of go.
We should have listened to Gen. Macauther and nuked those commie bastards when we had the chance.
hey i've got a great idea, let's keep building up China's economy so they can expand their military!! woo hooo yeah!!
All the more reason to move against Iran. The sooner the better.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.