Consider this. Pres. Obama is spending alot of time, energy and money in Afghanistan. As we speak, he meeting with both Karzai of Afghanistan and Zardari of Pakistan to come to an understanding for the region. Obama is too forward looking a visionary to be hung up on revenge for 9/11. There's much more at stake, including Pakistan's nuclear capabilites. Turkmenistan has the 5th largest natural gas deposits in the world. also a sizeable oil production. Turkmenistan's pipeline outlets are controlled by Russia and quite limited. For years, especially before 9/11 a pipeline thru western Afghanistan and western Pakistan to the Indian ocean was debated. The instablity of the area and 9/11 put all that on hold. Obama's administration is interested in alternative energy. Gas certainly isn't the total answer but a good stop gap as the oil runs dry and alternative energy sources slowly come online. It is surprising that Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Turkmenistan's leader, doesn't see this and offer to play an important role in the process. of course all Central Asia(the Stans) worry about Islamic fundamentalism. The Muslim republics have yet to find a form of government close to democracy and ar4e only slowly emerging on the world scene. I am sure Turkmen gas is an important part of this equation.
Good blog.
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