This month, the leaders of Russia and China and four central Asian states met in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s dusty capital, and agreed to establish an “Energy Club”. They did not specify what the club will do or when it will be formed. But the message was clear: the Energy Club is closed to non-members – the west in general and the US in particular.

In itself the move does not amount to very much. The decision was taken at a summit of a little-known regional mutual security group – the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation. Its members include four energy exporters – Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – and two importers – China and Kyrgyzstan. They are often divided, not least Russia and China.