During the briefing, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby did not rule out the possibility of deploying military bases in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan after the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.

“I think we can say with confidence that in cooperation with our colleagues from the State Department, we are negotiating with neighboring (with Afghanistan. -

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) countries and studying the prospects for remote activities that could be carried out (from the territory of these countries. -

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) - Kirby said, answering a journalist's question whether Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are "two main candidates" for the creation of a nearby military base to conduct operations and continue activities in Afghanistan "on a remote basis."

“I think we can say that we are discussing these possibilities with a number of neighboring (with Afghanistan -

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) countries,” Kirby added.

Nevertheless, answering a journalist's clarifying question about the possibility of deploying American troops at the Karshi-Khanabad airbase in Uzbekistan, which the US Air Force used in 2001-2005, Kirby suggested not "running ahead."

“No decisions have been made yet.

It is unlikely that guessing in this case will help the case, "- said a spokesman for the Pentagon.

Kirby's words came against the backdrop of the withdrawal of the American contingent from Afghanistan.

In particular, as part of the next stage of this operation, on July 2, the United States handed over to the country's authorities the largest air base in the republic, Bagram.

In an effort to retain influence

Last week, on July 1, the United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with the Foreign Ministers of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Abdulaziz Kamilov and Sirojiddin Mukhriddin.

During the talks, the parties discussed the situation in Afghanistan and trilateral relations.

Later, the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, met with Kamilov.

As noted in the message of the US military department, the parties agreed on the importance of further expanding bilateral cooperation between the military, discussed issues of cooperation on the defense line, as well as combating common challenges and threats.

Austin negotiated with Muhriddin the next day.

During the briefing, John Kirby emphasized that during the talks, the parties expressed a common desire to continue close cooperation on counter-terrorism, border protection and strengthening the capacity of defense departments.

“They also reaffirmed their commitment to further advance the goal of strengthening the political environment in Afghanistan,” the Pentagon spokesman said.

  • Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin and Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov

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  • © @AmbassadorVakhabov

Earlier, the journalists of The Wall Street Journal, citing sources in the Biden administration, reported that the United States is looking for options to maintain a military presence in the region after the American contingent is withdrawn from Afghanistan.

According to journalists, Washington would be "preferable to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which border Afghanistan and could become a springboard for easy access."

"However, the significant Russian presence in the region, the expansion of the Chinese presence and tensions between these powers and Washington complicate plans to deploy bases in Central Asia," the article said.

A few days after this publication, the US Army Corps of Engineers released a document stating the Pentagon's intention to build new military facilities in several Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

For the implementation of the project, which involves, in particular, the construction of airports, runways, highways and ports, the US Department of Defense plans to allocate $ 240 million.

Russia reacted to reports of Washington's intention to deploy troops in Central Asian countries after the withdrawal of the contingent from Afghanistan.

Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin called it obvious that, when deciding to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, “the US government would not want to lose control over this territory and has intentions to place at least some of the resources that they have today in Afghanistan. in neighboring countries ".

As Naryshkin noted, Moscow knows that such attempts are being made and will be made.

According to him, the Russian side expects that not only partners, but also allies in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) "will not agree to this."

"Ungrateful business"

According to Nikita Danyuk, a member of the Public Chamber, First Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies and Forecasts of the RUDN University, ending its campaign in Afghanistan, the United States wants to "maintain its position and sphere of influence in the region, which is strategically important for them."

“It is already clear that the Pentagon and the State Department are looking for new ways to gain a foothold there, considering the possibility of creating military bases closer to Russia.

In this sense, the deployment of any military infrastructure, including bases, logistics hubs, camps for instructors in countries located near the Russian borders, will be regarded by Moscow as actions directed against Russia, "the expert said in an interview with RT.

  • U.S. Army personnel in Afghanistan

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  • © Courtesy Ryan Hallock / US Army / Handout

Alexander Vavilov, professor at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, has a similar point of view.

“Against the backdrop of the end of a highly ineffective military operation in Afghanistan, the United States needs to do something that would allow it to stay in the region.

For the United States, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are quite a tidbit geostrategic morsel.

These countries are located not far from Russia, which is officially called the enemy of the United States.

And attempts to redeploy troops there instead of withdrawing them from the region, of course, will be undertaken, ”the analyst said in a conversation with RT.

At the same time, the United States can "push" such ideas, motivating them by the fact that Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the first countries that theoretically can face the activity of Afghan terrorists, Danyuk said.

“However, Washington should take into account that Moscow has long-established relations with Dushanbe and Tashkent, including within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Eurasian Economic Community.

Besides, American bases are a factor of instability.

Where such US facilities appear, the number of provocations, military activity and extremism increases, ”he stressed.

According to Danyuk, the authorities of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan understand this, and therefore "will not fall for the tricks of the United States."

“The presence of the United States in Afghanistan, for example, has not brought stability and development to either the country or the region.

Therefore, it is more profitable for Dushanbe and Tashkent to rely on Moscow, on military-political agreements with it, ”the expert added.

Alexander Vavilov also expressed the opinion that the republics would not agree to the deployment of US military personnel on their territory.

“Deploying American troops is too expensive, risky, and thankless. It is unlikely that Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will agree to this, despite their statements about their readiness to build up their military partnership with the United States. Otherwise ... the security system of these countries will be seriously affected, ”the analyst concluded.