Agree that Brian is a valuable commentator, especially for analysis of US interference in SE Asia.

However, while I take his point that environmental concerns are very often used by US agents and cutouts as a way to block development of infrastructure that will enrich and give greater independence to countries that the US wants to keep in a subordinate position, I also think he makes too little of environmental concerns and is somewhat glib on the matter (e.g. his saying that the problems that dams cause can be fixed). This criticism doesn't significantly lessen my appreciation for his journalism, as we all have our weak spots, but I do note it.

With regards to the cargo transport corridor across the Isthmus of Kra, I am very interested in this subject and am very supportive of some type of corridor being built. However, I also very much want it to properly consider environmental concerns and a canal being built here would have very, very significant environmental impact. (The Panama Canal had, and continues to have, major environmental impact on the region, so much so that this environmental impact is now threatening its economic viability too.) So I am happy to hear that things seem to be trending towards implementation of a road and rail corridor, a land bridge, rather than construction of a canal. I hope this model is chosen, that good, independent environmental impact studies are done and measures put in place for amelioration of identified impacts, and that work can then be soon begun.