The Kyrghz parliament has delayed a formal decision on closing Manas airbase, which may indicate that the potential for negotiation remains open. Vice President Joe Biden’s hard line on Russia on Saturday may have played a role in this, although domestic issues may also be playing a role. As noted last week, a decision to close Manas would severely complicate the NATO supply situation in Afghanistan, forcing either the development of new supply routes (through states like Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, or even Iran), or a significant restriction on the size of the NATO deployment. Most analysts seem to be seeing this situation as dependent on “Great Game” dynamics between the United States and Russia; if this is the case, then there would seem to be ample space for some kind of agreement. Also see Laura Rozen.
–Robert Farley
