The new great game

[arnewise12]

politicans and historians has printed out new phrase about the ongoing game between several nations about one of the last unexplioded resources in oil and gas in the world, the minted the phrase the new great game in earlier game between the russian white empire and the britons, this time there are several nations in the race for a bite of the oil and gas,

what is going to happen in this game , is the rest of the world going to exploit central asian resevers in gas and oil or will the course be different whats your opinion

[keaganjoelbrewer]

Interesting question!

It is important to note the timing of the discovery of oil in Central Asia, right now when everyone is starting to become conscious of the damage oil use is having on our planet. People are starting, slowly, to turn to renewable energy sources. But the shift is happening very slowly; people are stubborn and don't like to change.

I think that Central Asia needs to keep to itself like it's doing now. The region does not figure in the geo-political aspirations of the Americans at the moment, but in my opinion it definitely has the potential to turn into 'another Middle East' as some have called it.

So long as the Central Asian states play nice towards the Americans and the Russians, I believe they should be able to avoid conflict. And also it will depend on the leadership of these two powers. If we get more warmongers like Bush in the White House we will be more likely to see some conflict in Central Asia than otherwise, I think.

I will be travelling to Central Asia next year, and one of the main reasons I am forcing myself to do it as soon as possible is just in case something does happen. I could never forgive myself if I leave it one extra year and all of a sudden it were a warzone and I couldn't go there and all the beautiful buildings and such get bombed, like what happened with the Taliban and those big Buddha statues in Afghanistan in 2002. I'm not saying any of this will happen, it probably won't, but it is a possibility. The American administration is still in Cold War mode and likes to think it can just play chess with the rest of the world, and Central Asia might be next on the list.

[ALTAR]

I think the main actors of the BİG GAME in Central Asia are Russia, USA and China.

USA is keeping on closing diplomatic relations with Turkic Republics which have many natural energy sources. However they aren't effective as Russia. Because they can't solve the military problem in Afghanistan.

Russia has a big influence in Central Asia states in military, economy, politics and culture. Russian still is the most spoken language in the region. It has a key role in military too because only Russia can confront China in a war.

China has been increasing its own power in military and economy. Chinese invaded East Turkestan with Tibet 60 years ago. In a war situation, Central Asian republics cannot stop the Chinese Invasion so that they keep their ties stronger with Russia.

Its very complex situation and dont know who will be hegemonying Central Asia and its huge energy sources.

[Temüjin]

Central Asia can very well defend itself vs China, it is actually very easy, however some foreign support is needed (weapons, maybe training, and if possible volunteers). with tactics of guerillia warfare and using the suitable terrain of Central Asia it should not be very difficult for experienced guerillia fighters to fight back an invasion/occupation.

[arnewise12]

hey guys, thanks for the statments, but dont u think that It would be better for the region if it developt for its own and got help in fields like education and technology from Turkey, USA, Eu and russia, not china , becasue they only want to exploit the natural recsoures and besides chinese have always hated turks, anyhow,

I will be travelling to Central Asia next year, and one of the main reasons I am forcing myself to do it as soon as possible is just in case something does happen. I could never forgive myself if I leave it one extra year and all of a sudden it were a warzone and I couldn't go there and all the beautiful buildings and such get bombed

Oh thats great , than are u going, and were, central asia is a very interesting place, u should visit astana, ashgabat and tashkent for sure and maybe bishkek hehehe, I dont tajikistan has anything to offer except their warm hospitality they have ,

[Temüjin]

tajikistan is not uncool, recently i've seen a documentary on the Pamir Highway. made me want to travel there too.

[arnewise12]

tajikistan is not uncool, recently i've seen a documentary on the Pamir Highway. made me want to travel there too.

mmm, yeah Im sure its cool

[keaganjoelbrewer]

I don't think I will be visiting Astana, it is very far out of the way. I will mostly be staying further south of there.

And I will be going along the Pamir Highway, if all goes to plan =)

What was the name of that documentary you saw Temujin?

[Temüjin]

it was called "Weltreisen: Tadschikistan - Am Dach der Welt. Unterwegs auf dem Pamir Highway". (=World Travels: Tajikistan - at the roof of the world. on the road along the Pamir Highway). i've been trying to download it since ages but i'm stuck at 77% and no one has the rest...