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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| U.S. intensifies talks to use Russian bases for Afghan counterterrorism ops |
| 2021-10-02 |
| [Politico] The U.S. is in talks with countries that border Afghanistan about housing "over the horizon" counterterrorism operations that would allow the U.S. military to more easily surveil and strike targets in the Taliban-controlled nation, according to senators who attended a classified hearing with Pentagon leaders this week. Those sites could include bases run by Russia in those countries, they said. After testifying publicly before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, a trio of the military's top officials briefed lawmakers behind closed doors about the discussions, which are taking place with the governments of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and others, the senators said. The disclosure to lawmakers on Tuesday came just hours after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged that the U.S. has asked Russia for "clarification" about an offer from President Vladimir Putin to host the U.S. counterterrorism operations on Russian military bases in central Asia. During the classified session, senators were told that that option is being seriously considered, the lawmakers added. Gen. Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, the U.S. Central Command chief, went into detail about specific types of aircraft and launching points that could be used to strike terrorist targets in Afghanistan. Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also described to senators the nature of his conversations with his Russian counterpart, Valery Gerasimov, the senators added. The Wall Street Journal first reported that Milley raised the issue with Gerasimov, but the further details of the talks have not been previously reported. "It's their territory. But I think, realistically, Russia has influence there," Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said of the neighboring countries. "And so [Russia] may not have a veto, but they certainly have an influence. So you have to talk to them." Representatives for the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #9 Putin knows. His GRU knows. Vladimir has The Big Guy by the short and curlies |
| Posted by: Desyat Protsentov dlya Bolshevo Parnya 2021-10-02 13:31 |
| #8 Something tells me Vlad can't wait to turn on NewsMax and enjoy the humor. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2021-10-02 12:33 |
| #7 So, they're trying to rent bases, and at the same time get Vlad to bend from sanctions. He's gotta be laughing his ass off. Then again, Putin may go for it. First, you've got the mordita aspect. Then, you've got all the info and photos the GRU "base managers" will come up with. And also, you've always got stuff that 'just falls off the truck'. |
| Posted by: ed in texas 2021-10-02 11:55 |
| #6 Lets stop f***ing around where we have NO economic interest. Afghanistan has thrown us out of a place we should never have been in... "When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains, And the women come out to cut up what remains. Just roll to your rifle and blow out your brains. And go to your g-d like a soldier." |
| Posted by: irish rage boy 2021-10-02 11:01 |
| #5 Coffee must not have kicked in yet, I read the headline as "U.S. intensifies talks to use Russian babes for counterterrorism Ops" |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2021-10-02 10:26 |
| #4 What is the speed and time in the air for America's most efficient drone? Wont that determine over the horizon capability and where drones will be based? |
| Posted by: Bertie Crains2651 2021-10-02 09:26 |
| #3 "We're excited about our new basing in Xinjiang province as well" |
| Posted by: Frank G 2021-10-02 07:23 |
| #2 Breaking: Milley announces retirement, accepts top business development position with Gruppa Vagnera (Wagner Group). |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2021-10-02 06:51 |
| #1 "Only if we get to play, too" |
| Posted by: badanov 2021-10-02 06:43 |