http://centralasia.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2007/11/09/turkmenistan-the-quid-pro-quo/ The World Affairs Blog Network Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:00:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 http://centralasia.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2007/11/09/turkmenistan-the-quid-pro-quo/comment-page-1/#comment-2110 The Conjecturer » Russia’s Move-Making, and Why the U.S. Stands Idly By Mon, 12 Nov 2007 04:08:24 +0000 http://centralasia.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2007/11/09/turkmenistan-the-quid-pro-quo/#comment-2110 [...] Things continue to worsen for Western interests in the still-ascending energy states of Central Asia, however. Bonnie Boyd just wrote an excellent exploration of Europe’s haughty attitude toward Turkmenistan. It is specifically relevant in this context: What's wrong with asking for information rather than demanding it? Asking to put in some internet cafes rather than dissing the one that's there? Arranging to have broadband capacity installed with cell phones rather than being contemptuous that it's not already available? Behind the scenes, diplomats are doing just that,and are frequently put off because we're so busy talking about the target state's deficiencies and stripping their pride. [...] [...] Things continue to worsen for Western interests in the still-ascending energy states of Central Asia, however. Bonnie Boyd just wrote an excellent exploration of Europe’s haughty attitude toward Turkmenistan. It is specifically relevant in this context: What's wrong with asking for information rather than demanding it? Asking to put in some internet cafes rather than dissing the one that's there? Arranging to have broadband capacity installed with cell phones rather than being contemptuous that it's not already available? Behind the scenes, diplomats are doing just that,and are frequently put off because we're so busy talking about the target state's deficiencies and stripping their pride. [...]

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