Kyrgyzstan to close US base (on Russian request?)
Kyrgyzstan announces that it plans to close the US's Manas air/military base, key in operations and resupply to Afghanistan. That's messy enough, especially in the short time horizon, but there's another level.
Or maybe this from the NYTimes version.
Reading a little deeper in the NYTimes version, it sounds like Bakiyev was looking for at least $300 million for the lease, but the US was only willing to go $180 million, so Russia steps in.
Let's remember, the US is talking about moving it's supply routes from Pakistan to that long winding route across Russia and her sympathetics which poses this problem across Russia and all the little 'stans. It gives Russia and the locals so much influence over the US to both extort and try to influence policy.
Never fight a land war in Asia, right?
The announcement was made after news reports of a multimillion-dollar aid package from Russia to Kyrgyzstan.
Or maybe this from the NYTimes version.
President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced the decision to close the facility on Tuesday during a visit to Moscow to seek financial support.
Reading a little deeper in the NYTimes version, it sounds like Bakiyev was looking for at least $300 million for the lease, but the US was only willing to go $180 million, so Russia steps in.
Let's remember, the US is talking about moving it's supply routes from Pakistan to that long winding route across Russia and her sympathetics which poses this problem across Russia and all the little 'stans. It gives Russia and the locals so much influence over the US to both extort and try to influence policy.
Never fight a land war in Asia, right?
posted by mikevotes at
7:10 AM
5 Comments:
Yes, Vizzini, you're right:
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!"
By
-epm, at 7:32 AM
I know the source.
It's also attributed to Douglas MacArthur although there's no proof he ever said it.
By
mikevotes, at 7:44 AM
Interesting. I tend to see everything through the lens of film... movies. I guess I'm more versed in pop culture than, you know, real stuff.
(I wasn't being snippy, BTW. I love the quote, and I love the character Vizzini.... It always makes me chuckle.)
By
-epm, at 8:22 AM
Bottom line here is the US has no good supply route options. Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan are all against a US presence in the region.
By
Anonymous, at 10:01 AM
EPM, well, I said attributed/no proof. The only true cite we have for sure is Princess Bride.
The quote burned into my brain because it was one on a loading page on one of the Civilization versions.
....
Anon, Exactly. And perhaps we should know something from that.
By
mikevotes, at 10:24 AM
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