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Alternative Radio (Aust.) PO Box 780 Morwell Victoria 3848 Australia tel. 61-3-5134-8556 mob. 61-413-597-828 inquiries@araustralia.org |
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www.araustralia.org |
Alternative Radio (Aust.) PO Box 780 Morwell Victoria 3848 Australia tel. 61-3-5134-8556 mob. 61-413-597-828 inquiries@araustralia.org |
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The 19th century American satirist, Ambrose Bierce, observed that Americans learn geography by where their troops are at war in the world. Get out your maps and locate the five republics of Central Asia. Since the US war on Afghanistan, the area has gained new prominence. Three of these countries border Afghanistan. The US has increased its military presence with bases throughout the region. Central Asia has extensive, untapped oil and natural gas resources that the US covets. US troops were initially welcomed into the Muslim dominated area, but now are seen as mere props for tyrannical regimes. Militant Islam is on the rise, but is US foreign policy or are repressive rulers to blame?
Ahmed Rashid is eminently qualified to analyse Central Asia. He has been described as "the most influential journalist in the world" based on his reporting from the region. He's been a correspondent based in Lahore covering Afghanistan, Pakistan and the five Central Asian republics for more than 20 years. He writes for the London Daily Telegraph, the Far Eastern Economic Review and The Wall Street Journal. His books Taliban and Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia are international best sellers.
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