Sources and acknowledgments

In addition to those diplomats, scholars, activists and others who spoke on the basis of anonymity, the author would like to thank: Nurzhan Aitmakhanov, Edil Baisalov, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Nektarios Demenopoulous, Ofani Eremae, Muhammad Faisal, Anastasia Franzeskaki, Wakar Gillani, Philippe Gresinski, Rick Houenipwela, Ahsan Iqbal, Alden Iswanto, Gedion Jalata, Bilahari Kausikan, Peter Kenilorea, Tom Lembong, Jodi Mahardi, Hafiz Noer, Roza Otunbayeva, Yannis Palaiologos, Jona Widhagdo Putri, Najam Rafique, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mark Salter, Mangala Samaraweera, Timur Shaimergenov, Rahel Shawl, Daniel Suidani, Celsus Talilifu, Biruk Terrefe, Kadir Toktugulov, Asad Umar, Wang Huiyao and Zhao Tong