EurasiaNet
December 5

Political analysts in Moscow are hailing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Kyrgyzstan on December 5, saying the trip caps a series of developments that reasserts Russia’s influence in Central Asia. In seeking to restore its high-profile position in the region, Russia is taking advantage of Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev’s current domestic difficulties.

Putin’s brief visit to Bishkek followed the announcement that Russia is establishing an air base at Kant, a suburb of the capital. Russian defense officials say the base, which is technically being created under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty, is needed to contain Islamic radical insurgents in the region. Putin’s talks with Akayev focused on security issues, according to media reports. The two leaders signed a joint declaration on security cooperation.

Russian political analysts sounded a triumphal note over the recent turn of events, lauding the Kremlin for taking a bold geopolitical step. "Russia has realized the fact that the Central Asian region should remain within the sphere of influence of the CIS member-states and, first of all, Russia’s own [sphere of influence]," a commentary in the Izvestiya Daily said. "In fact, Bishkek [now] becomes an outpost of Russia’s presence in the region."

In purely military terms, the Kant base’s importance for Russia is limited. In all, only a handful of Russian fighter jets are expected to be based there, along with about 700 support staff. The facility is far more significant politically, providing Moscow with an advanced post from which it can more easily bring diplomatic leverage to bear on Kyrgyzstan, and potentially other Central Asian states. The base also has large symbolic value, helping to restore Russia’s great power image. In the immediate aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Russian influence in Central Asia experienced a dramatic decline, as regional leaders – in particular Akayev and Uzbek President Islam Karimov – turned to the United States for enhanced security cooperation.

The Russian-Kyrgyz basing agreement may have been facilitated by domestic instability in Kyrgyzstan, where Akayev’s administration is struggling to contain protests mounted by political opposition leaders. "The weakness of his [Akayev’s] political position and tense situation in the country clearly play into Moscow’s hand," an editorial in the Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper stated. The primary aim of Putin’s visit to Bishkek was "to support the Kyrgyz leadership’s course aimed at cooperation with Russia," the newspaper added.

From a strategic point of view, the Russian military’s desire to establish itself at the Kant air base is understandable. Kant is situated 600 kilometers closer to Russia than Dushanbe, the Tajik capital, where Russia maintains a squadron of military aircraft. Kant’s location will make it possible for Russian jets to avoid refueling on the airfields of other Central Asian states.

The other suitable Kyrgyz air base – Manas international airport – is already being utilized by the US-led anti-terrorism coalition forces. The Manas base primarily provides air support for the troops deployed in Afghanistan. The setting up of the Russian air base near Bishkek, some regional analysts point out, makes Kyrgyzstan the second CIS member state after Georgia to be home to both US and Russian military personnel.

Russia and the United States are nominally partners in the campaign against terrorism. Yet, some Russian sources say that behind the scenes the two countries are engaged in an intense competition for strategic influence. According to Strana.Ru – a web site close to the Kremlin, citing sources within the Russian General Staff – Moscow moved to establish the base at Kant after it learned that US military officials had expressed interest in utilizing that base, in addition to using the existing Manas facility. Also, some Kyrgyz lawmakers had reportedly favored the leasing of the Kant airfield to the US-led coalition forces.

"Moscow, however, has made a smart preemptive move," Strana.ru commentator Vladimir Mukhin wrote.

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