Word: kyrgyz
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...Asia specialist and professor of politics and government at George Mason University, "along almost pathological networks of patronage" - and ones that Moscow knows how to navigate. That close working relationship has been on full display recently in Kyrgyzstan: spurred by a Russian promise of $2 billion in aid, the Kyrgyz government signaled its intent to shut down the U.S.'s pivotal Manas air base there in January, and reaffirmed that pledge this week despite recent overtures from the Obama administration...
...Kyrgyz leader's announcement came on the same day that militants in Pakistan blew up a key Khyber Pass bridge, cutting NATO's main supply line into Afghanistan and highlighting its vulnerability. Of course, Bakiyev happened to be standing alongside Russian President Dmitri Medvedev at a Moscow news conference when he served notice on the U.S. to vacate the Manas air base. Moscow, in fact, had just promised to give Bakiyev a vital $2 billion economic bailout package. Russia's motivations, and its intentions, are ambiguous. (See pictures of NATO's vulnerable Pakistani supply route...
...former Soviet republics of central Asia, for whom being caught in a battle for influence between Washington and Moscow has clear advantages. Bakiyev made clear that the Manas decision was a financial one - Russia was ponying up cash, and Washington hasn't been paying enough, as far as the Kyrgyz leader is concerned. But he gave the Americans six months to vacate the base, and, well, a lot can happen in six months. U.S. officials say negotiations on the base deal are ongoing. Given Russian indications - and the loopholes left by Bakiyev - the Manas base announcement may turn...
...Karnazes (famed for once having run 50 marathons in 50 consecutive days) the ultimate high comes from meeting indigenous peoples en route - the Bedouin in the Sahara; Kyrgyz, Mongolians and Uighurs in the Gobi; and Atacameño tribesmen in the Atacama. "Although there are vast cultural differences between the native populations and the racers," he says, "a smile seems to cut right through the divergence and unite...
...anything, their warheads contained. While visitors will want to be aware of Lake Issyk-Kul's history, there is no evidence that the testing has caused any lasting damage to the lake's ecology, and both Russian families and avid anglers have happily vacationed there for many years. The Kyrgyz authorities also insist that the lake is perfectly clean and safe. In fact, the only booms you'll come across today will be the sounds of the area's spa industry taking...