Kyrgyzstan’s decision to close the US “Manas” airbase is an interesting development in European security and the war in Afghanistan. It was the last remaining US base in Central Asia, after Americans were forced by Uzbekistan in 2005 to leave the Karshi-Khanabad airbase. In short, that means the infamous Khyber Pass in Pakistan has become a point of failure for US army transport. Although the bridge funded by the US for the Panj river in Tajikistan may be a new alternative, and other civil projects could also materialize, something else also comes to mind when looking at the Kyrgyz policy change.

Kyrgyzstan was reportedly under a denial of service cyberattack in the past few weeks. I mentioned this on January 29th, when I also quoted a source that suggested it fit a pattern of attacks on Estonia and Georgia.

Although the more urgent issue is related to troop and supply movements for Afghanistan, the US must acknowledge the significance of cyberwarfare as it relates to Russia’s current foreign policy strategy and influence in the region.