Silk Road to Ruin: Is Central Asia the New Middle East?

Ted Rall travels to Central Asia - Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. He traveled a few times by himself while he was doing a radio show in LA. Then he went on behalf of the U.S. state government to Turkmenistan and on his own to Afghanistan via Tajikistan to cover the 2001 Afghan invasion. The book goes into the history, current political situation and culture of this region of the world which we do not know much about. We read about a world where there are military checkpoints, not much development, corruption and different cultures. We learn that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have vast amounts of untapped oil reserves which the United States, Russia and China are all vying to get. Since 2001, the U.S. has also opened military bases in these countries. He details environmental problems such as Kazakhstan is Russia's Nevada and Russia does nuclear testing there. He goes into Central Asia's versions of 9/11 and Tiananmen square. Also we learn about some customs and interesting games played by people in Central Asia. The book has some enlightening and funny comic strips in it. Rall has a genuine appreciation of the history and culture of these regions. Rall's conclusion at the end is that when democratically elected leaders such as Askar Akayev from Kyrgyzstan are toppled by U.S. backed revolutions and dictators who bow to the U.S. are instilled; this will lead to a repeat of a 1979 Iranian style revolution in these countries. That is one conclusion, the other one is that countries are turning a blind eye to gross human rights violations like murders of political opponents or boiling dissidents while at the same time cozying up to dictators to gain favor and eventually access to oil. This will create resentment in the long term. He says if people in the United States don't care about these countries, that is fine, as long as we withdraw from the region completely. Another conclusion is that foreign aid is pouring into Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan since they have proven oil reserves. Meanwhile Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are borderline failed states. Rall states these countries are a "package deal" and if one or two countries remain volatile, it will affect neighboring countries. Silk Road to Ruin is a must read book to learn about this underreported part of the world.

Ted Rall's book is worth reading, for a damning self-portrait of an "ugly American" version 2006--huckster, radio host, cartoonist, coldly cynical, thrill-seeking, slumming Ivy Leaguer, brimming with smug condescension and contempt for those he encounters on various tours through Central Asia over the past decade. Rall waltzes through some of the most violent and tragic regions on earth apparently in search of laffs, thrills, and chills. He gets them. A form of 21st century slumming, adventure tourism is the theme, including a brief kidnapping by the Taliban. Yet lives of ordinary Central Asians apparently matter little--he boasts of paying thousands of dollars in bribes to bump Central Asians from reserved seats on an airplane in order to escape with his tour group from a potentially violent attack. Despite claiming that the Central Asians were in no danger (if so, why were they leaving, and why had they bought tickets?), his message is clear: "I'm number one." Although Rall clearly has talent as a writer and cartoonist, as well as determination and guts, he apparently lacks human compassion for the people in the region he exploits in his business ventures.

Ted Rall is one of our leading political thinkers. He has made a number of investigative trips to the countries in Central Asia. Why should we care? Well, these countries are sitting on a sea of oil and natural gas. These former Soviet republics are getting the royal treatment from Russia and China. Superpowers are jockeying for position to lock up access to all these energy resources. Since 9/11 the US Government has been sucking up to the various monstrous dictators of the area. Remember Saddam Hussein? We used to like him because he was taking on Iran. Rall thinks we are making some big mistakes in our approach to Central Asia. For example; we are allowing these dictators to hand over their "terrorists" so that we can lock them up in our CIA prisons. These "terrorists" are often human right advocates and gutsy individuals who are trying to speak out against their murderous rulers. Rall suggests that we should be making friends with the people of Central Asia by helping them out rather than pouring money into the pockets of their corrupt dictators. What's at stake? Our future access to all that energy.

This is a jolly good read. The mixture of travelogue and political analysis is quite a surprising combination. In this book, you will learn: (1) Why Crocodile Dundee would not last five minutes in Central Asia (p.179); (2) How to talk your way out of being shot by the Taliban (pp.130-137); (3) How to stage a revolution without really trying (p.156); (4) When a toilet stop in a minefield is a good idea (pp.180-181); (5) What international sport considers the use of AK-47 bad form but not illegal (p.274); (6) How not to photograph a rampaging horde of wild Mongol horsemen (p.276); (7) How to survive eating in the world's worst restaurant (pp.109-113); (8) Why "problema" is the most common word in Central Asia; (9) Why drink driving sometimes is a good idea (p.199); (10) How to pick up women or die trying (p.218). Ted Rall has a writing style that blends serious political analysis with comedic understatement. Mr. Rall is keen to see that the USA does not spoil its chances for positive influence in Central Asia and thereby get access to the vast oil and gas reserves there. However, the Russians, Chinese, and Indians appear to have different ideas. After reading this book, I am of the opinion that there is no way I am going to visit Central Asia. Apparrently, Mr. Rall is going back again soon.

I make sure I read all of Ted Rall's columns, and I'm always amazed. A lot of writers write about subjects you already know about, they just word it differently from the others and throw in a few extra tidbits. Not Ted! When you read him you always learn massive amounts of facts and information that you didn't even realize you should know about. After reading him you wonder why you've never heard about these important topics. You will not regret buying this book if you're already familiar with Mr. Rall's work. If you're not, you're in for an eye-opening experience.