Kyrgyzstan to Allow Use of Air Base

In a reversal of its previous decision, Kyrgyzstan is going to allow the use of an air base to support the NATO mission in Afghanistan.  Previously, Kyrgyzstan had given the U.S. six months to get out, but many believe that this was just a move to increase the rent that the U.S. currently pays.  Annually, the U.S. pays about $17.4M in rent and another $150M in aid.  While the rent will be increased, this is likely to be a deal of "bases for vowels." 

This base is crucial for the efforts in Afghanistan due to the rough terrain and finding other ways of getting supplies into the desolate nation would be difficult at best.   While this is becoming a point of contention between the U.S. and Russia which considers this region as within its sphere of influence.  Recently Russia pledged $2B in aid for Kyrgyzstan but it is unknown whether or not there is any consideration for the massive "Y" exports Kyrgyzstan is dumping on the Russian market.