U.S. troops in Azerbaijan?
Secretary Rumsfeld is apparently visiting Azerbaijan this month, and it seems to be to scout out new air base locations, according to this article by Taleh Ziyadov.
The relevance?
Well, with Uzbekistan kicking out U.S. troops just a few weeks ago (see this CNN article), Americans are constantly searching for new friends in the Central Asia region to support operations in Aghanistan.
After hearing about Uzbekistan, Rumsfeld had said: "We're always thinking ahead. We'll be fine."
Are his eyes on Azerbaijan, the former Soviet republic that borders Iran? Probably, but the bigger question is whether or not Azerbaijan will host troops or allow flight operations.
And is the Rumsfeld seeking to increase U.S. troop presence in the region?
Neither China nor Russia want the American military so close. Iran is surely not amused.
We'll see what happens.
Note: If you're American, you probably don't know where these countries are. Check out this map.
The relevance?
Well, with Uzbekistan kicking out U.S. troops just a few weeks ago (see this CNN article), Americans are constantly searching for new friends in the Central Asia region to support operations in Aghanistan.
After hearing about Uzbekistan, Rumsfeld had said: "We're always thinking ahead. We'll be fine."
Are his eyes on Azerbaijan, the former Soviet republic that borders Iran? Probably, but the bigger question is whether or not Azerbaijan will host troops or allow flight operations.
And is the Rumsfeld seeking to increase U.S. troop presence in the region?
Neither China nor Russia want the American military so close. Iran is surely not amused.
We'll see what happens.
Note: If you're American, you probably don't know where these countries are. Check out this map.
posted by bp at
4:46 PM
2 Comments:
Follow the pipelines. They're oddly indicative.
By
Anonymous, at 11:46 PM
You might be interested in reading these articles: the first is about the tension betweeen Iran and Azerbaijan, the second is a turkish geopolitical analysis of the region.
http://www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=201
http://www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=318
Pipelines are just one face of the problem. In a wider view it obviously contains considerations of military geography and (geo)politics as well.
By
mr.friedmann, at 2:43 PM
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