Podcasts Government The General and the Ambassador: A Conversation The US, Kyrgyzstan & Central Asia: General Blaine Holt and Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller Explain How They Worked to Keep the Key US Base at Manas Despite Riots and Political Upheaval & Outline US Interests in this Key Region Bordering China and Russia

The US, Kyrgyzstan & Central Asia: General Blaine Holt and Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller Explain How They Worked to Keep the Key US Base at Manas Despite Riots and Political Upheaval & Outline US Interests in this Key Region Bordering China and Russia

Published: Aug. 11, 2020, 1:41 p.m.

General Holt and Ambassador Gfoeller describe their efforts to keep the Manas base as an airbridge for the US effort in Afghanistan during a local coup, violent ethnic cleansing & managing competing Russian and Chinese interests. They underline the importance of US influence in this volatile region including stemming Islamic extremism.