Kyrgyzstan's Closure of the Manas Airbase: Context and Implications
Abstract
In February 2009, Kyrgyzstan announced that it was terminating an agreement permitting U.S. forces to use portions of the Manas International Airport and adjoining areas near the capital of Bishkek to support coalition military operations in Afghanistan. According to the U.S. Air Force, the airbase provides major refueling and air mobility capabilities in support of operations in Afghanistan. If U.S. talks with Kyrgyzstan to reconsider its decision are unsuccessful, U.S. forces have until late August 2009 to leave the airbase. Major U.S. concerns include working out alternative logistics routes and support functions for the Obama Administration's planned surge in U.S. troops deployed to Afghanistan. Cooler security ties with Kyrgyzstan also could set back U.S. counterterrorism efforts and other U.S. interests in Central Asia. U.S. and NATO relations with Russia might likewise suffer if the airbase closure and other Russian actions in Central Asia come to be viewed as nonsupportive of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations in Afghanistan. The 111th Congress is likely to face issues associated with either raising security and foreign assistance appropriations for Kyrgyzstan if the airbase remains open, or with reevaluating U.S.-Kyrgyz relations if the airbase is closed. If closed, concerns also may well include possibly enhanced military operations costs after logistics routes and support are shifted from Manas.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 04, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA501039
Entities
People
- Jim Nichol
Organizations
- Library of Congress