I finally got around to reading this, and I find it pretty disappointing, frankly.
In the entire article - an article incorporating broad theories of geopolitics, but nominally focusing on Afghanistan, and it's place in Central Asia - there is essentially zero discussion of India (aside from a single offhand mention that they too have interests in the region). On it's own, this omission makes the quality of Kaplan's analysis suspect. The picture he paints of the region and it's future is woefully incomplete, if not fatally flawed.
Aside from that concern, I also think he overlooks very real challenges that both Russia and China would face if they pursued the paths. He seems to assume that they will have both the resources and opportunities necessary, while discounting or ignoring other pressures, demands, and competition outside of the Central Asian region, that they would have to deal with in real life.
I finally got around to reading this, and I find it pretty disappointing, frankly.
ReplyDeleteIn the entire article - an article incorporating broad theories of geopolitics, but nominally focusing on Afghanistan, and it's place in Central Asia - there is essentially zero discussion of India (aside from a single offhand mention that they too have interests in the region). On it's own, this omission makes the quality of Kaplan's analysis suspect. The picture he paints of the region and it's future is woefully incomplete, if not fatally flawed.
Aside from that concern, I also think he overlooks very real challenges that both Russia and China would face if they pursued the paths. He seems to assume that they will have both the resources and opportunities necessary, while discounting or ignoring other pressures, demands, and competition outside of the Central Asian region, that they would have to deal with in real life.