The ever reliable Economist speculated on his ill-health last May.

For heaven’s sake, Turkmenistan joined in the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ for Iraq. You know, wacky dictators building statues of themselves versus umm . . a wacky dictator building statues of himself. Surreal.

Whoever ends up with Turkmenistan, it’s a poisoned chalice and that’s for sure.

Best description of Turkmenistan from the Lonely Planet Guide: “It’s not the worst place in the world, but it can only be a few bus stops away.”

If you think someone’s comments are rubbish, by all means say so. Then say why. If you think they are beneath your commenting, don’t say anything.

Anyway, moving on.

Yes, Niyazov’s death may well present a tremendous opportunity for the West. Equally, it presents opportunities for both Russia and China.

Turkmenistan under Niyazov has made much of its ‘neutrality.’ I’m very interested to see if the new government wants to maintain that stance – and whether outside powers will let them.

ANDY: Seems like what your describing is a golden opportunity for the West to move in and erect barriers to Russian attempts to take the place over, as they’re trying in Georgia, especially in light of the recent revelations as to what Russia really is capable of. It would be a great way of sending a strong message to the Kremlin that it needs to back off. I wonder if we’ll be clever enough to recongize, much less act on, this opportunity.