My Way News - Analysis: Moscow uses base as tool in negotiation
AP reports: "Like the missile defense issue, the future of the U.S. base is a symptom of the deeper contest for influence in central and eastern Europe and in Central Asia. Russia has long been irritated by the U.S. military presence in what it considers its natural areas of influence in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, a strategically located region straddling Europe and close to volatile nations such as Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan."