GERMANY: Obama’s new Afghanistan plan seems to be a hit with NATO allies. The same people who were opposed to all US actions a few months ago, are now jumping on he banwagon.

“We totally endorse and support America’s new strategy in Afghanistan,” Sarkozy told a joint news conference after talks with Obama. France will contribute to the new U.S. approach with development assistance and more training for police, Sarkozy said.

The China Post, who published that quote, also said that NATO’s ability to affect change in Afghanistan will help re-confirm the relevance of the alliance.

China Post article: Obama brings Afghan plan to NATO allies.

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Explore Manas Air Base

BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN: Today Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed a law evicting the US Military from Manas Air Base. The bill passed with 78 of 81 possible votes, so it’s unlikely the US will be able to buy them out on this one. Manas, located just outside Bishkek, the capitol of Kyrgyzstan, is a vital supply base for operations in Afghanistan.

Defense Secretary Gates kept it positive today, saying,

I continue to believe that this is not a closed issue and that there remains the potential at least to reopen this issue with the Kyrgyz and perhaps reach a new agreement.

and

If we are unable to do that on reasonable terms then, as I have suggested, we are developing alternative methods to get resupply and people into Afghanistan.

But with Pakistan becoming more and more dangerous to the South and East, and Iran to the West, the US needs a base North of Afghanistan. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have both shown interest, but there is nothing official yet.

I am not completely sure why this all went down though. I can see two obvious possibilities: (1) the Kyrgyz Government is pulling a stunt to force contract renegotiation. (2) The Kyrgyz people have a lot of anti-American feelings that no one has been talking about, because Kyrgyzstan rarely makes the news. Nothing I’ve read on this story has touched on “why”, so if anyone has thoughts please share.

Article from Al Jazeera English: Kyrgyz law to close US base signed

Article from CNN: Afghan supply base eviction prompts U.S. access scramble

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KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN: In most circumstances the construction of a new school wouldn’t be news, but for Kandahar it is a big deal. The school was funded by Japan for $3.9 million and features 8 classrooms, 4 offices, and 5 toilets. Another point of interest is that the school serves both genders. The article mentions it several ttimes in fact.

Everything isn’t all good though. The Japanese inspectors are skeptical of the quality of the building and the furniture. They have asked the provincial government to call the Afghan construction company to account, but no one expects much to change. As long as they can prove the thing won’t fall down on the children, then the parents will be happy.

Article from Outlook Afghanistan: School Facility Constructed in Kandahar

NOTE: They don’t really have a link to the article specifically, but this will take you to their updates page.