Cold War Heating Up Again
The Russians are certainly masters of gamesmanship. With the new administration they are wasting no time making their first move. The only problem is our accommodating president and his administration are not aware of Putin's attempts to emasculate the US. First, the Russians used the power of the checkbook by promising loans to Kyrgyzstan, who in turn is giving the U.S. its walking papers by closing our military base there. The Manas air base, near the Kyrgyz capital of Bishik, is crucial to the war in Afghanistan which the Obama administration intends to make its central focus. This has put the Russians in a favorable position with regard to US policy in Central Asia. Manas was the last remaining US base in the region since being expelled from neighboring Uzbekistan in 2005 over Human rights disputes. The US contributes $150 Million to the Kyrgyz economy- in addition to the $63 million in rent for the base. The Russians have reached out to the new administration by offering thei