Russia cuts a supply line to Afghanistan

posted at 6:38 pm on February 3, 2009 by Ed Morrissey

Just two weeks after supposedly agreeing to expand supply lines into Afghanistan, Russia cut one of the more important supply lines available to NATO.  Vladimir Putin gave Kyrgyzstan over $2 billion, and the Central Asian country not-so-coincidentally booted the US from their air base:

In a setback to the escalating U.S. military efforts in Afghanistan, the president of Kyrgyzstan said Tuesday that his government will shut down the American air base in his country.

U.S. officials say that the Manas Air Base is vital to plans to send an additional 30,000 American troops to Afghanistan, a linchpin of President Barack Obama’s efforts to pacify the country.

The announcement by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev came in Moscow, not in his own capital, and shortly after the Russian government reportedly agreed to lend Kyrgyzstan $2 billion, write off $180 million in debt and add another $150 million in aid. Although the Russian government didn’t release a statement about the decision, the timing and place of the announcement indicated that the Kremlin had been involved.

Two weeks ago, Kyrgyz officials assured David Petraeus that they had no discussions with Russia about Manas.  Two weeks and one presidential inauguration later, the US and NATO have lost a major supply route for their fight in Afghanistan, and Putin has a new BFF in Bakiyev.  The Kyrgyz PM says that the US would not adequately compensate his country for the base, but that sounds pretty strange for a nation that gave such assurances before Obama took the oath of office.

The problem was never in Krygyzstan.  Biden predicted that world leaders would challenge Obama and his inexperience within the first few months of the adminstration, but they’ve already started to line up in the first few days.  Iran launched a satellite on an ICBM to show they could go ballistic once they have nuclear weapons.  North Korea reportedly has set up another ICBM for a test.  Now Russia has flipped an ally in the war on terror — and all of this in the first 14 days of Obama’s presidency.

Update: I originally wrote that North Korea set up the ICBM test to threaten Seoul, which is an example of poor writing and excessive unstated assumptions.  Kim has recently broken off talks with the South and done a lot of saber-rattling, probably to extort more economic concessions.  The rocket test is likely intended to bolster the saber rattling as well as to send a very clear message to Obama.  Instead of actually writing all that, I wrote that Kim set up an ICBM to threaten a city less than 100 miles from his border … which is really ridiculous.  Sorry about that.

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Losing Manas is a big deal. It’s the coldest place I’ve ever been in Jan 07 going into theater, but we need it. I wonder what the one is going to do about it. I wonder if he cares.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 9:46 PM

Saw that coming. Did we just get punked?

TastyPanda on February 3, 2009 at 9:52 PM

How is Kyrgyzstan such a key airlift point for Afghanistan for us? I mean, how do we get sh*t into Kyrgyzstan to begin with?

flipflop on February 3, 2009 at 6:52 PM

Typically US to England or Germany, then to Turkey or Manas and then to Bagram or Kandahar. Leg logistics.

Another problem is we just lost a bridge that comes from Pakistan where Karachi goods that come through the port go over. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Russia was all about helping isolate the US like they were. It’s the only strategic disadvantage possible for us; the reduction of logistic lines.

If I saw any increase at all in SAM activity with our helicopters and aircraft, I’d be starting to worry about full Soviet intervention. Right now as one whos been there and understands whats going on right now, I’m definitely concerned about our redeployment this Spring.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 9:57 PM

wonder if he cares.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 9:46 PM

Possibly not, given this post from Powerline today.

According to GeostrategyDirect.com, a newsletter published by The Washington Times’ ace national security reporter Bill Gertz, “Diplomatic sources said Barack Obama has engaged several Arab intermediaries to relay messages to and from al Qaeda in the months before his election as the 44th U.S. president. The sources said al Qaeda has offered what they termed a truce in exchange for a U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. ‘For the last few months, Obama has been receiving and sending feelers to those close to al Qaeda on whether the group would end its terrorist campaign against the United States,’ a diplomatic source said. ‘Obama sees this as helpful to his plans to essentially withdraw from Afghanistan and Iraq during his first term in office.’”

Russia wants the US to back off the missile defense system in Eastern Europe, which Obama apparently is willing to do. Russia would also like the US to do nothing if it makes another move against Georgia to seize the pipeline that runs from Central Asia to Europe. Putin’s price? He’ll “help” us get Central Asian bases back.

But Obama apparently wants to withdraw from all military engagement, which would suit Putin and its trading and strategic partner Iran well.

A rookie like Obama doesn’t know how to play this international chess. Hillary might, but not Obama or the VP he chose for his foreign policy “experience.”

Wethal on February 3, 2009 at 10:02 PM

If I saw any increase at all in SAM activity with our helicopters and aircraft, I’d be starting to worry about full Soviet intervention. Right now as one whos been there and understands whats going on right now, I’m definitely concerned about our redeployment this Spring.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 9:57 PM

I have a gut feeling looking at who Obama has surrounded himself with Foreign Policy wise that Obama has no intention of winning in Afghanistan.

Do you think Obama is serious and has the leadership it takes to defeat the training camps/politics in Pakistan and support the new government in Afghanistan.

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:03 PM

The unicorns lost their wings…
the lolipop trees are melting….
the butterflys have dropped from the skies and lay in dirty piles all around the giant eared freak who’s jaw is hanging down while he wonders WTF went wrong.

“But they said they loved me, they were ALL supposed to love me.”

Alden Pyle on February 3, 2009 at 10:11 PM

I know one thing for sure, being the leader of the Free World is lot different than running a corrupt campaign for President. Putin is laughing his ass of tonight. I just hope no one dies in our military from the decisions this administration is making. It’s time to get the Senate Arms committee together and have some public and private meetings on this issue.

Did Obama really say “he was tired of being in the White House” today while visiting those kids at the charter school? A charter school that most democrats and the teachers union loathe.

Atlanta Media Guy on February 3, 2009 at 10:13 PM

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:03 PM

My unit had two battalions in Iraq while the rest of us were in Afghanistan and our combined two theater support was staggered over about a 20 month period. During that time we lost 15 people. It was the worst casualties of any unit I’ve ever been in all of my 32 years. Five in one CH47 that was shot down in the Helmand Province in RC South. In all, the 82ND Airborne lost more than 100 officers and soldiers on our last OEF deployment. This administration botching or purposely throwing their hands up because they feel compelled to back down from Russia will put me off the deep end. If my guys died for nothing, Geez I don’t want to even think about it. It’s too hard.

Flipper 75 was my unit and my friends.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:14 PM

Wethal on February 3, 2009 at 10:02 PM

I went and checked out Power Line and followed the story to the Wash Times. I found the entire Gertz column here.

I don’t know the law, so I was interested to see this comment in the Power Line Forum. Some of the other commenters are stunned by this as well.

This is not a tale to be kicked around the right wing blogosphere.
Al Qaeda has been recognized by the Supreme Court as an official enemy of the US. US citizens are not allowed to just chat with them. Who are Gertz’s “diplomatic sources”? Who are Obama’s “Arab intermediaries”? Who told a Chicago hack pol how to get in touch with Al Qaeda? What did he say? When did he say it? Who knew and kept quiet?

Treason isn’t a partisan hat trick. Show the sources. If this is true it ain’t “remarkable”, it’s a Class A federal felony and people should be squatting in Leavenworth for 40 years. If not executed.

INC on February 3, 2009 at 10:18 PM

Obama will use the economic crisis to remove most if not all US military presence overseas. Once things start to get ugly here at home (2 years tops) the military will be used to enforce the socio-economic transformation of America. Obama’s dream “civilian security force” will be created via a pseudo conscription/draft/mandatory service policy and will gradually supplement the regular forces with the goal of replacing the all-volunteer professional force ASAP. Obama needs solid majorities in the House, Senate and Governors Mansions to pull this off along with enough entitlement factory raised O-bots to keep regular folks intimidated and scared. (Obama or Die)

Healing you will feel

dmann on February 3, 2009 at 10:27 PM

I think Obama needs to just go there, smile, take off his shirt, brush off his shoulders, and hit a GQ pose. Why they’d just melt!

Hope and change baby. He never promised improvement!

Mojave Mark on February 3, 2009 at 10:28 PM

This administration botching or purposely throwing their hands up because they feel compelled to back down from Russia will put me off the deep end. If my guys died for nothing, Geez I don’t want to even think about it. It’s too hard.
hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:14 PM

I know I have told you before,but I can’t express enough how much my family and I appreciate your service and the service of the rest of our men and women in uniform.

WE KNOW WHERE WE GET OUR FREEDOMS FROM

I am sorry I could not join you over there(the Army would not take me because of severe hearing loss)but I did march on Washington(and Greensboro NC./Cindy Sheehan march) three times with the Gathering of Eagles to counter protest the anti-war movement and make sure that nobody laid a hand on a vet that was there.

If Obama cries surrender like the democrats did on Iraq,we will be right back out there to get in their faces and support our Soldiers that provide us the Freedoms we have today.

Thank you again for your service and no matter what,you and the friends you have lost will not have done it in vain.

No Troops
No Freedom

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:29 PM

Flipper 75 was my unit and my friends.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:14 PM

The video was incredible and 100% American Red Blooded Patriot.

You must be very proud to be a part of freeing over 50 million people and not having to live the rest of your life wondering if you made a difference.

God Bless the American Soldier.

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:36 PM

In an article pointed to by Drudge:

“We were just tired of being in the White House,” the president candidly told the gleeful second-graders at Capital City Public Charter School.

Remember September 11th? President Bush is reading to a grade school when the first two jets hit the WTC. The liberal left were outraged that Bush did not run from the room screaming “do something, do something”.

Hold that thought.

Meanwhile two of The Obama’s cabinet nominations blow up in his face, white house staff is scrambling screaming ‘do something, do something’, and The Obama takes a hike, walks off, leaves the building.

Skandia Recluse on February 3, 2009 at 10:38 PM

Saw this video at Ace of Spades and thought it displayed the pride and strength of the men and women that are on the front lines bringing REAL HOPE AND CHANGE:

Video of a young Belgian boy saluting Canadian troops marching at a memorial service.

VIDEO:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMzHlkB-Yg&eurl=http://www.ace.mu.nu/&feature=player_embedded

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:45 PM

Flipper 75 was my unit and my friends.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:14 PM

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

INC on February 3, 2009 at 10:47 PM

Meanwhile two of The Obama’s cabinet nominations blow up in his face, white house staff is scrambling screaming ‘do something, do something’, and The Obama takes a hike, walks off, leaves the building.

Skandia Recluse on February 3, 2009 at 10:38 PM

He was voteing… NOT PRESENT!

Romeo13 on February 3, 2009 at 10:47 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMzHlkB-Yg&eurl=http://www.ace.mu.nu/&feature=player_embedded

If the video does not play here is the link:

http://minx.cc/?post=282287
Ace of Spades

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:48 PM

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:29 PM

GOE attended every service our unit had to do. Last one was for a brother of one of my 15P turned Door Gunners from Washington/Pinetown NC. SPC Joel Taylor. Chris, his brother, was a Flight Operations clerk who wanted to fly so we made him a Door Gunner late in Iraq and then he did it again in Afghanistan.

The liberals of this country have used all of these people I’ve known and have worked with who are gone as pawns in a political game. They’ve cried crocodile tears for them and secretly prayed for our casualty numbers to be high for elections. They’ve ignored what we’ve accomplished and headlined when we’ve made mistakes. And I can’t imagine that half of this country either missed it or didn’t care.

I hope this get resolved and some of the other signs out there turn out to be nothing. But I haven’t had this uneasy of a feeling about the outcome of the war since Zaraqawi was close to bringing Iraq to civil war. I guess we’ll see.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:49 PM

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:48 PM

Great video. Thanks Baxter.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:53 PM

INC on February 3, 2009 at 10:18 PM

This story at powerline is so unbelievably ignorant and treasonous that I am going to wait for some verification.

Powerline blog is very reputable and solid so I am not doubting them.This just seems so stupid and naive that I can’t believe even an a$$clown like Obama would do something like this.

If it is confirmed,the whole administration needs to go down for this.

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:55 PM

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:55 PM

Yeah, I’d definitely wait for confirmation.

If it’s true, God forgive ‘em because I won’t.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:57 PM

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:55 PM

Yeah, that would be almost as suprising as if Ted Kennedy had dealings with the USSR during the Cold War…

Oh, wait… pesky KGB files…. nothing to see here… move along… these are not the droids you are looking for…

Romeo13 on February 3, 2009 at 11:03 PM

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:49 PM

Unfortunately your post is dead on as usual.
I stood in front of Vets while the “Peace loving smart ones”
threw sh!t,spit,and yelled “murderer,baby killer,and war monger” at the very people who provided the avenues of free speech for their idiocy.

It was a disgusting display of hate and bigotry that hides behind flashing peace signs and singing kumbaya.

You and the rest of our active Soldiers and Vets deserve the utmost respect and thanks for the lifestyle so many people enjoy here and around the world today.

One Soldier has done more for the spread of Freedom around the world than all the liberal activists combined.

Watching Obama flop around without a clue this first few weeks and looking at who he gets his foreign policy advice from certainly has turned me from concerned to freaking stressed about how he is going to handle the Putin’s,Kim Jong’s,Ahmadinejad’s,and other terrorist regimes.

This Paparazzi President has zero leadership ability in a time when we need it most.

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 11:07 PM

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:49 PM

Did you run across my grandson, T. Kurek. He was A.F. Spec. Ops. in Afghanistan.

Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 11:08 PM

Romeo13 on February 3, 2009 at 11:03 PM

Or John Kerry being so much help to the anti-war movement in meeting with communist Vietnam in France while we were still at war.

They loved his help so much they have a whole area of their museum dedicated to him in their “anti-war movement helps Viet Cong defeat America” section.

Can we question their patriotism yet.

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 11:12 PM

If you can read this thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank the military.

Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 11:14 PM

Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 11:08 PM

Big country Johan. I don’t know. The Air Force I worked closest with were the HH60 crews that did SAR and because they had FLIR, did MEDEVAC for us during low illumination periods.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 11:17 PM

There is a little bit more work here than meets the eye. There is a relatively new group called Shanghai Cooperation Organization, or SCO for short. This group is about Russia and China gaining influence in and around the area of Southeast Asia. They see it as a counter balance to US power in the Region, and will try all they can to keep the US out.

All members were part of the Soviet Union. Russia is in trouble due to the Oil prices, and Kyrgyzstan is full of minerals. This is an organization to watch out for in the near future because they will be making it harder for the US to operate in SE Asia.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/int/sco.htm“

theboss on February 3, 2009 at 11:19 PM

If it is confirmed,the whole administration needs to go down for this.

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:55 PM

Yeah, I’d definitely wait for confirmation.

If it’s true, God forgive ‘em because I won’t.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:57 PM

Thanks.

INC on February 3, 2009 at 11:27 PM

Thanks.

INC on February 3, 2009 at 11:27 PM

Thank you too INC.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 11:36 PM

(via The New Editor/Instapundit)
http://www.theneweditor.com/index.php?/archives/9116-Just-to-Reiterate-for-the-Record….html

At the dawn of the Obama Administration we have witnessed: four high-level appointees blow up over various issues, tax and otherwise (Richardson, Daschel, and Killefer get axed; Geitner stays); the appointment of at least 12 lobbyists to positions in the Administration — in direct contradiction of campaign promises; a pork-laden economic stimulus bill without precedent in US history; and the reversal of campaign positions concerning controversial policies like rendition.

The first couple of weeks of the Obama Administration has simply reinforced my stated belief that the Obama campaign and subsequent election represents the biggest, most successful political con of my lifetime.

This is exactly what the people that didn’t listen to Obama on their knees said would happen when this failed community organizer was turned on to the American public by Pravda West.

Now it is apparent that our enemies see major weakness and capitulation in the White House and plan to take advantage of it.

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 11:40 PM

If it is confirmed,the whole administration needs to go down for this.

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 10:55 PM

Yeah, I’d definitely wait for confirmation.

If it’s true, God forgive ‘em because I won’t.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:57 PM

Thanks.

INC on February 3, 2009 at 11:27 PM

One thing I would like to add to the Powerline post about Obama kissing al-qaeda’s butt is that the CIA is no friend of Obama’s and could have leaked this.
This article about the CIA rejecting OBama and his Panetta
appointment gives a good idea that this type of information
would have been known and possibly leaked by the CIA:

: CIA Insiders Issue Political Threats Against Obama, Panetta
from By JOSEPH FITSANAKIS | intelNews

The Washington Post, “express[ing] sharp resentment” over Leon Panetta’s nomination, which “has clearly left a bad taste” at the Agency. Another CIA “senior official” dismissed Panetta’s nomination as a “completely opaque” process that was undertaken by the Obama Administration without any consultation with CIA. Charles “Sam” Faddis is one of the few CIA veterans who actually revealed their name while commenting on Panetta’s nomination. He described the CIA rank-and-file response to Obama’s selection as “overwhelmingly negative”, a view which security correspondent Jeff Stein cited as typical of the overall sentiment at the Agency.

If this accusation is true,I don’t see how it does not rock our military and defense department to the core.

There is no justification for this type of idiocy.

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 11:47 PM

hawkdriver, God Bless You for fighting for my loved ones, my friends and Our Beautiful Country. Must be frustrating seeing our Country get slapped in the face. My prayers are with you, and anyone on here that are Military, or Ex Military. You all are my Hero’s.

sheebe on February 3, 2009 at 11:55 PM

hawkdriver,

No, the thanks all go to you and your men.

*********

I’ll wait to see what happens at the Wash Times. I’ll also look out for stories on on Robert Malley. Obama was supposed to have “severed ties” with him last May because Malley was talking with Hamas. Yet right after the election Malley showed up as a senior adviser who was sent to Egypt and Syria.

INC on February 4, 2009 at 12:02 AM

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 11:47 PM

I just saw your comment. I had not seen that column about the CIA. Thanks for the info.

INC on February 4, 2009 at 12:04 AM

Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 11:47 PM

I just saw your comment. I had not seen that column about the CIA. Thanks for the info.

INC on February 4, 2009 at 12:04 AM

No problem.

Thanks for the Powerline info

Baxter Greene on February 4, 2009 at 12:10 AM

If you can read this thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank the military.

Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 11:14 PM

HOME OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE

Thanks to you and the service of your son Mr. Klaus

Baxter Greene on February 4, 2009 at 12:13 AM

Afghanistan? That’s a tiny country, compared to the United States.

long_cat on February 4, 2009 at 12:30 AM

I hope this get resolved and some of the other

signs out there turn out to be nothing. But I haven’t had this uneasy of a feeling about the outcome of the war since Zaraqawi was close to bringing Iraq to civil war. I guess we’ll see.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:49 PM

This may not help that “uneasy” feeling because after reading this,I am starting to be convinced that code pink is in control of the White House:

Obama not bowing to top brass, yet
By Gareth Porter
http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KB04Ak02.html

Obama’s decision to override Petraeus’s recommendation has not ended the conflict between the president and senior military officers over troop withdrawal, however. There are indications that Petraeus and his allies in the military and the Pentagon, including General Ray Odierno, now the top commander in Iraq, have already begun pressuring Obama to change his withdrawal policy.

A network of senior military officers is also reportedly preparing to support Petraeus and Odierno by mobilizing public opinion against Obama’s decision.

Petraeus was visibly unhappy when he left the Oval Office, according to one of the sources. A White House staffer present at the meeting was quoted by the source as saying, “Petraeus made the mistake of thinking he was still dealing with George Bush instead of with Barack Obama.“

Obama refusing to listen to the Generals and make decisions based on conditions on the ground are consistent with his idiotic stance on this in the Primary debates:

Hillary & Obama Don’t Care What Commanders Say, They are ‘Committed to Withdrawal’
Amy Proctor
April 17, 2008
http://amyproctor.squarespace.com/blog/2008/4/17/hillary-obama-dont-care-what-commanders-say-they-are-committ.html?lastPage=true#comment1432448
(via Amy Proctor blog)

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama made it crystal clear at last night’s presidential debate that they will not listen to commanders on the ground in Iraq about the mission, although Obama conceded he would listen to “tactical advice” given only from missions he sets. How bipartisan. Hillary made it clear that “our commitment to withdrawal” would be the policy in a Clinton administration, despite the conditions on the ground.

Gibson:

So if the military commanders in Iraq came to you on day one and said this kind of withdrawal would destabilize Iraq, it would set back all of the gains that we have made, no matter what, you’re going to order those troops to come home?

SENATOR CLINTON:

Yes, I am, Charlie. And here’s why: You know, thankfully we have a system in our country of civilian control of the military. And our professional military are the best in the world. They give their best advice and then they execute the policies of the president. I have watched this president as he has continued to change the rationale and move the goalposts when it comes to Iraq.

And I am convinced that it is in America’s best interest, it is in the best interest of our military, and I even believe it is in the best interest of Iraq, that upon taking office, I will ask the secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff and my security advisers to immediately put together for me a plan so that I can begin to withdraw within 60 days.

MR. GIBSON:

So you’d give the same rock-hard pledge, that no matter what the military commanders said, you would give the order: Bring them home

.
SENATOR OBAMA:

Because the commander in chief sets the mission, Charlie. That’s not the role of the generals. And one of the things that’s been interesting about the president’s approach lately has been to say, well, I’m just taking cues from General Petraeus.
Well, the president sets the mission. The general and our troops carry out that mission. And unfortunately we have had a bad mission, set by our civilian leadership, which our military has performed brilliantly. But it is time for us to set a strategy that is going to make the American people safer.
Now, I will always listen to our commanders on the ground with respect to tactics. Once I’ve given them a new mission, that we are going to proceed deliberately in an orderly fashion out of Iraq and we are going to have our combat troops out, we will not have permanent bases there, once I’ve provided that mission, if they come to me and want to adjust tactics, then I will certainly take their recommendations into consideration; but ultimately the buck stops with me as the commander in chief.

This idiot is going to get a lot of people killed.

Baxter Greene on February 4, 2009 at 12:53 AM

Does anyone else remember the Senate subcommittee that Obama headed but never convened? I do. Obama’s chickens are coming home to roost.

onlineanalyst on February 4, 2009 at 1:38 AM

In a few months, if the world economy stays moribund, and oil stays low and the dollar high, Russia could be nearly bankrupt. That goes for Venezuela as well. My guess is that Obama will do something stupid in regard to both.

JiangxiDad on February 3, 2009 at 6:54 PM

If he follows Jimmy Carter’s example, he’ll send them funds to help keep them solvent while they plot our destruction.

Communism would have collapsed 15 years sooner if we hadn’t kept bailing them out.

ThereGoesTheNeighborhood on February 4, 2009 at 2:38 AM

Obama is 99% oriented to domestic issues.
Hillary is 99% oriented toward herself. (She will go down as one of the least traveling SOS in modern US history.)

Obama is trying to find a way to disengage the US from all these international situations and let the UN be the broker of disputes.

And where is that special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan?

albill on February 4, 2009 at 7:48 AM

Well, this sucks but I guess I saw it coming. First went to Kyrgyzstan to work in Sep. ’03. Left when my company lost the E&I contract in Jan ’07. Wife is from there, Son born there, lot of family and friends.

Basically what happened here is multi-layered: Bakiyev came to power when Akayev walked out. Well, was forced out, but mostly peacefully. Guess Akayev figured his 15 years of pillaging was enough. Bakiyev comes to power, immediately starts cementing his power and ability to control money. One of the things that the Kyrgs did to the base was restructure the rental agreement – initially, we paid the gov’t for the land, and contracted everything else out to local vendors. Not so what Bakiyev came to power. No, when Bakiyev went to the table, he raised the rent on the land, and consolidated all contract work – meaning that all of the money flowed through his people first, and he controlled what services were provided in a timely manner. All so he could get his hands on more and more money.

Now this $2 Billion thing? It’s a loan. Loans fromt he Russians are like loans from the mob – if you don’t pay up, they will help themselves to whatever they want until THEY feel the debt is settled. Bakiyev doesn’t care because once he gets his, he’s going to bounce, same as Akayev. When Russia comes calling for that 2 Billion plus interest, they most likely will demand access to Kyrgyzstan gold mines – which are currently operated by a Canadian firm. They may also demand huge agricultural concessions or Uranium concessions, as Uranium is also mined in Kyrgyzstan and tobacco (run by Parliament)is a huge export crop.

Russia basically paid $2 billion for all of Kyrgyzstan. Once the base leaves, the local economy will be DESTROYED and what had been a growing middle class will be decimated, possibly leading to a civil war. There’s already massive civil unrest – 50,000+ people protesting in front of the White House was not uncommon, from my recollection.

flashoverride on February 4, 2009 at 8:31 AM

If he follows Jimmy Carter’s example, he’ll send them funds to help keep them solvent while they plot our destruction.

Communism would have collapsed 15 years sooner if we hadn’t kept bailing them out.

We’ve been paying Kyrgyzstan for years (decades?). It looks like the Russians just realized they could pay more than us. It sucks to be a bankrupt nation.

popularpeoplesfront on February 4, 2009 at 9:57 AM

Well, Putin only promised Russian cooperation, not Kyrgyzstani cooperation…. wink, wink.

Vashta.Nerada on February 4, 2009 at 10:25 AM

The Obama Administration – versus – The Obama Campaign.

“America’s chickens – are coming home to roost”

jake-the-goose on February 4, 2009 at 10:52 AM

Russia has learned how to beat us in our own game. Buy influence at any price. But don’t worry, the muslem kooks will visit Russia again soon.

Russia should be smart and watch us bleed there for a while. Maybe Putin thinks this will help us bleed more by making it tougher on us. However, it may backfire on him if it forces us to expand and improve our long range presense.

saiga on February 4, 2009 at 11:17 AM

In a wistful way, time to ask:”WWMHD?”-”What Would McCain Have Done?”

Amendment X on February 4, 2009 at 11:35 AM

Wow, guess Russia and Krygzstan weren’t too impressed by Obama’s apology letters and his decision to abandon the missile shield in Eastern Europe. Speaking of Europe, that’s a place I wouldn’t want to be in the next 4 years. Gird your loins.

james23 on February 4, 2009 at 11:39 AM

In a wistful way, time to ask:”WWMHD?”-”What Would McCain Have Done?”

Amendment X on February 4, 2009 at 11:35 AM

McCain would have praised the Russians for helping their neighbor. He would most likely say we didn’t need that base to fight terrorism. He’s had the opportunity to talk about this development. So far McCain has said “nada”.

kanda on February 4, 2009 at 11:53 AM

I was 15 years old when Khrushchev ordered the Berlin Wall be built. John Kennedy had been in office about six months and was green as grass. “The Wall” kept Berlin divided for the next 28 or so years. In his memoirs, Khrushchev’s son stated his father was trying JFK on for size. Khrushchev firmly believed Kennedy would order bull-dozers, etc. to knock down the wall. When Kennedy failed to respond, Khrushchev read failure as weakness and lack of commitment.

Many of us can recall first-hand where Kennedy’s indecisiveness lead us after that. Biden was right. POTUS is no place for OJT.

oldleprechaun on February 4, 2009 at 12:14 PM

Keep moving – nothing to see here.

Fuquay Steve on February 4, 2009 at 12:35 PM

oldleprechaun on February 4, 2009 at 12:14 PM

What an insight OL. You don’t know the name of that book do you for me to check out?

hawkdriver on February 4, 2009 at 12:38 PM

Flipper 75 was my unit and my friends.

hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:14 PM

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

INC on February 3, 2009 at 10:47 PM

Thank you sir.

ColtsFan on February 4, 2009 at 10:56 PM

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