145
In March 2008, the post of “Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy” Issues was
reformed with the aim of exploiting “new opportunities” for exports of Caspian
energy resources. In the Obama era, “Secretary of State Clinton” appointed
“Ambassador Richard Morningstar as Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy,” reporting directly to the Secretary of State (Nichol 2014:56). In 2011, the State Department
established a new “Bureau of Energy Resources” (Nichol 2014:56). In late 2012,
the minority staff of the “Senate Foreign Relations Committee” recommended the
department preserve the position (Nichol 2014:56).
Some analysts believed that after the abolition of the post of “Special Envoy for
Eurasian Energy,” the US’ position in the region, especially in energy diplomacy,
became weaker in contrast with other players in the Caspian basin. During the
Clinton era, Richard Morningstar was awarded the role of “Special Advisor to the
President and Secretary of State Assistance to the New Independent States of the
Former Soviet Union.” From 1998 to 1999, he was “special advisor to the President
and the Secretary of State for Caspian Basin Energy Diplomacy.” He reported to
both the State Department and White House directly once again when he returned
as Energy Envoy however during the Obama era, he was only given access to the
State Department. The post was thus previously perceived as being part of a broader
policy vision. David Goldwin believes that if this did not represent a clear downgrading of priorities, then it at least had the practical implications of slowing down
US actions in Eurasia
American policy is best pursued when you have attention White house. Because individual
agencies and department don’t play very well together; coordination is directed from the
White House. If you say the president wants it to happen, all departments agonies over it
accordingly. But when State Department want to do something, then the Department of
Defense, say, can immediately step in and tell you why we shouldn’t cooperate. (Author
Interview with Dr Ed Chaw 2016)
Post 9/11 US Foreign Policy in Central Asia
In March 2008, the post of “Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy” Issues was
reformed with the aim of exploiting “new opportunities” for exports of Caspian
energy resources. In the Obama era, “Secretary of State Clinton” appointed
“Ambassador Richard Morningstar as Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy,” reporting directly to the Secretary of State (Nichol 2014:56). In 2011, the State Department
established a new “Bureau of Energy Resources” (Nichol 2014:56). In late 2012,
the minority staff of the “Senate Foreign Relations Committee” recommended the
department preserve the position (Nichol 2014:56).
Some analysts believed that after the abolition of the post of “Special Envoy for
Eurasian Energy,” the US’ position in the region, especially in energy diplomacy,
became weaker in contrast with other players in the Caspian basin. During the
Clinton era, Richard Morningstar was awarded the role of “Special Advisor to the
President and Secretary of State Assistance to the New Independent States of the
Former Soviet Union.” From 1998 to 1999, he was “special advisor to the President
and the Secretary of State for Caspian Basin Energy Diplomacy.” He reported to
both the State Department and White House directly once again when he returned
as Energy Envoy however during the Obama era, he was only given access to the
State Department. The post was thus previously perceived as being part of a broader
policy vision. David Goldwin believes that if this did not represent a clear downgrading of priorities, then it at least had the practical implications of slowing down
US actions in Eurasia
American policy is best pursued when you have attention White house. Because individual
agencies and department don’t play very well together; coordination is directed from the
White House. If you say the president wants it to happen, all departments agonies over it
accordingly. But when State Department want to do something, then the Department of
Defense, say, can immediately step in and tell you why we shouldn’t cooperate. (Author
Interview with Dr Ed Chaw 2016)
Post 9/11 US Foreign Policy in Central Asia