Via the BBC: US can keep Kyrgyzstan air base
The US has been told it can keep its airbase in Kyrgyzstan as long as it is needed for operations in Afghanistan.But the Kyrgyz defence minister said that once the situation improved, US forces would no longer need to stay on.
[…]
About 1,000 US soldiers are stationed in Kyrgyzstan, and the US also has an airbase in neighbouring Uzbekistan.
These bases are a vital hub for ferrying supplies to US forces in Afghanistan, and providing refuelling services for US aircraft.
Of course, permanent bases would be problematic:
Washington’s rivals for regional dominance, Russia and China, have made clear they do not want to see US forces in the region on a permanent basis.
As a child of the Cold War, I must say that in a general sense it is remarkable that the US has even temporary military bases in a place that once was part of the Soviet Union.
Kyrgyzstan Extends Use Of Airbase
Donald Rumsfeld has secured ongoing use of an airbase in Kyrgyzstan for “as long as the situation in Afghanistan requires,” assured Major General Ismail Isakov.
PoliPundit makes a great point about this - “it is remarkable that the US has even tem…
Trackback by Am I A Pundit Now? — Tuesday, July 26, 2024 @ 8:16 am
Proving that (occasionally) academic projects have direct application:
Dr. T,
Russia & China are objecting to bases in Central Asia through the mechanism of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Remember, you read my thesis on the SCO? G’head ask me anything about it!
Comment by AMA — Tuesday, July 26, 2024 @ 9:15 am
Dammit, I hate stupid mistakes.
Corrected.
Comment by Am I A Pundit Now? — Tuesday, July 26, 2024 @ 5:15 pm
[…] ry aircraft. The alternative is much costlier midair refueling. Wow. And a reversal from just over a week ago Meanwhile, via the BBC: US announces German base closures: The base closures will affe […]
Pingback by PoliBlog: Politics is the Master Science » US Bases in the New — Saturday, July 30, 2024 @ 10:57 am