Maybe. I am known as an optimist about Central Asia's and Russia's intentions, and a pessimist about China's, so consider the source. But some internal evidence in the article seems to undermine its simple reading, and give more credence to the idea of Chinese pressure on the Stans (and even Russia), both economic and with an implied threat of worse-- not to mention, as in Tibet, Xinjiang, and the Russian Far East, an ongoing swamping by sheer numbers..
"China's inroads into this country take many forms, said Rashid Dyusembaev, editor of Kazakh Monitor, an independent English-language newspaper.
"For instance, he said, Chinese farmers are taking long-term leases on farmland. Also, he said, "China has the headwaters of the two main rivers that supply water to Kazakhstan and has been diverting the water channel and can hold the water hostage." "
Uh- huh. Without that water, the Wyoming- like steppes north of the Tian Shan turn into REAL desert.
Further, an observation from Sergei Pashevich, a Kazakh analyst and veteran of the Afghan war, who sounds more like my friends rather than someone anti- western:
"The Great Game, as I see it, won't be fought militarily," Pashevich said. "It will be fought economically, and it is there that China can win. We know that in Kazakhstan, and we are worried about China."
Above: Major Anna Plakhova of the Kazakh Border Patrol (standing beside horse). She is also a veterinarian and an equestrian instructor, not to mention the breeder of my dog Ataika.
Below: A "Tobet" named Zhendet in training with Anna: very scary, but safe if they tell him to be. (Click for larger views)
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