The ongoing tiff over the rent at Kyrgyzstan’s Manas Air Base between US officials and Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev took a turn in America’s favor, after recent meetings. According to the London Financial Times, Bakiyev has agreed to reduce his demand. Previously threatening to increase the yearly payments from $2.7 million to $200 million, a government source tells the newspaper that Kyrgyz officials have given the impression that they would be willing to accept as little as $15 million if the rent was teamed with an aid and investment package. Manas serves as a key way station for coalition operations in Afghanistan. More negotiations seem to be coming.
Some Guard Troops Won’t Get Paid Until Shutdown Ends
Oct. 29, 2025
The National Guard Bureau says most units are postponing drills during the shutdown, but some states are sticking to their training schedule, resulting in a patchwork of different policies and some confusion in the ranks.
