Posted on 04/14/2010 10:40:14 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Kyrgyzstan may be a landlocked country with a population of less than 5.5 million, but it still looms large in the regional calculations of China, Russia and the United States. The Kyrgyz Republic is the only country to host both a Russian and a US military base. The Russian base at Kant symbolises Moscow’s preeminent security role in the region, while the US base at Manas plays a vital role in sustaining NATO military operations in Afghanistan. And Kyrgyzstan also borders Xinjiang, prompting concerns among Chinese policymakers over infiltration by terrorists and narcotics smuggling into this sensitive province as well as the security of their growing commercial stakes in Kyrgyzstan.
It’s clear, therefore, that the change of regime that has just taken place after a bloody uprising last week (For an eye witness account read ‘What I Saw in Bishkek’) has global political implications, not least for US forces stationed there. One key question is whether Russian diplomats will lobby the new Kyrgyz government not to renew the US lease to the air base at Kyrgyzstan’s Manas international airport when it expires in June. Last month, the Pentagon transported 50,000 NATO soldiers and other important items to and from Afghanistan. Although other routes exist, they have less capacity, take longer to use, are more expensive to operate, or are less secure. While the interests of the three great powers in Eurasia largely overlap, Russian and Chinese policymakers may still be tempted to exploit the current situation to weaken the US military presence in Kyrgyzstan.
(Excerpt) Read more at the-diplomat.com ...
There are two air bases in Kyrgyzstan. The first base is Russian and is called Kant Air Base.It is located just south of the city of Kant, some 20 km east of downtown Bishkek and has been there since 1941. And you have the Manas Air Base which is currently used by NATO/United States.
Thing is...
Russia wants to keep its base in Kyrgyzstan and continue to extract concessions from the US over the Manas airbase there, and the use of Russia’s airspace (IE more nuclear deals, missile defense stoppages and lots of money-billions). China wants a stable Kyrgyzstan and will allow a Russian presence and allow the US to stay there.
Kant Base has been the jumping off point for Russia smuggling munitions and troops into Central Asia. Since 2003, Russia has tons of fighter aircraft at Kant Air Base. They have SU-27s,AN-26s, and MIG-21s
>...and MIG-21s>
Haven’t they used it all as scrap metal decades ago? AFAIK all Russian Mig-21s are phased out through late 80s to 90s.
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