I wish I had uploaded this back in mid-November, but here it is. S. Frederick Starr, Chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at Johns Hopkins University, presented his advice for American leadership in Central Asia.His presentation is a overview of US strategy and possibilities in a time of constrained resources and authoritarianism. Yet the US still needs to be active in the region. Rather than money or democracy building, Starr focused on the software of long-distance trade across so many borders. The US should assist governments in making sure that the transit routes that do exist have well-functioning border posts with good software that prevents back-ups and creates consistency. This is the sort of practical thinking I like. He comes in at the 4:30 mark.
