Last issue of "Time'

[Al Norton]

There was one interesting article in the recent issue of 'Time' about Russian PR and making of Putin's image. 'Time' interview aslo mentioned some Central Asia leader that asked Kreml PR makers to help him set up monarchy in his state (of course Kreml said no :)). Its kinda wierd that on the edge of new century Central Asia is still facing same problems as hundreds years ago. Russian 'influence' from north and so called 'great game' that in our times is played by US rather than British Empire. We are witnessing the same religious problems that tear apart states and same idea of 'Great Turkestan' or new 'Islamic Halifat'. It is not that Uzbekistan does have other options <like moving Indian ocean closer to open trade routes:)>, but kinda sad to see that we are the aim of someone's geopolitical influence game rather than State that projects own interests.