U.S. closes down Afghan transit base in Kyrgyzstan

[Cyberian]

U.S. closes down Afghan transit base in Kyrgyzstan
Tuesday June 3, 2014

The U.S. airbase that has been the main transit point for military personnel and cargo headed to Afghanistan for more than a decade is officially closed for business.

Officials in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, expect all military personnel to be gone by the end of the week.
U.S. officials handed over keys to the Manas Transit Center to Kyrgyz authorities Tuesday, Agence France Presse reported.

The commander of the base, Col. John Millard, said more than 5.5 million coalition troops have stepped foot on the base since 2001, AFP reported.

The catalyst for the base closure was the refusal by the Manas Transit Center to renew its lease. Kyrgyzstan has sought closer ties to Moscow, which also has its own base in the country.

The new hub for U.S. troops and cargo headed to Afghanistan will be through an air base in Romania, AFP reported.

U.S. closes down Afghan transit base in Kyrgyzstan - Washington Times

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

closing it down after being told to vacate

seems like Moscow is trying to spread its sphere of influence....in Kyrgyz case - Moscow influence was never rooted out

 

[Fahad Khan 2]

More dependence on Pakistan..

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

seems like Moscow is trying to spread its sphere of influence....in Kyrgyz case - Moscow influence was never rooted out

Not really, Moscow was pi$$ed off it was even loaned to the US, but kept it's mouth shut, it couldn't risk "being against us".

It was no secret the Russians didnt want the US in "their backyard". The Chinese didn't either, so its pretty much the "enemy of my enemy is my friend".

The Kyrgyzs knew the Americans weren't going to stay there, but why lose on the prospect of making a few $$$$$?

Kyrgyzstan is also saving face, it was since 2011, when the new guy came in that the American presence would be ended. America has no necessity to be there anyways after Afghan security is handed over to the Afghans.

Kyrgyzstan has no assurances that the Western backed Government would even be around. Can't have an Anti-Western government pissed off that Kyrgyzstan supported Afghanistan's 'occupation' cant it?

Now the Russians have gotten it leased for 12 years or so, the money is still flowing into Kyrgyzstan and theres Russian Troops to hold the fort.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Not really, Moscow was pi$$ed off it was even loaned to the US, but kept it's mouth shut, it couldn't risk "being against us".

It was no secret the Russians didnt want the US in "their backyard". The Chinese didn't either, so its pretty much the "enemy of my enemy is my friend".

The Kyrgyzs knew the Americans weren't going to stay there, but why lose on the prospect of making a few $$$$$?

Kyrgyzstan is also saving face, it was since 2011, when the new guy came in that the American presence would be ended. America has no necessity to be there anyways after Afghan security is handed over to the Afghans.

Kyrgyzstan has no assurances that the Western backed Government would even be around. Can't have an Anti-Western government pissed off that Kyrgyzstan supported Afghanistan's 'occupation' cant it?

Now the Russians have gotten it leased for 12 years or so, the money is still flowing into Kyrgyzstan and theres Russian Troops to hold the fort.

Moscow benefited from US ouster of taleban; however as the war progressed and it clearly became about geo-politics rather than rebuilding Afghanistan's destroyed institutions but rather using Kabul as a satellite/listening posting - they became wary

the cold war is far from over....pop some popcorn and enjoy