Rice tour raises China’s energy hackles

Between October 11 and 13, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a brisk tour of five “stans”: Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Analysts say that one key purpose of the journey was to strengthen US influence on Central Asia, especially with regard to energy security.

Obviously, the US seeks to reduce reliance on the Persian Gulf [oil] supply by taking control of the oil-rich Middle East and Central Asia, and meanwhile lead [the] Caucasus and Central Asia out of poverty and instability.”

ATimes