Manus eBay Auction Ends, USA Lucky Bidder

Until yesterday, it seemed a fait accompli that the vital NATO supply base in Krygyzstan was closing, owing to a combination of geopolitics and a strong bid by Russia.  Thanks to an eleventh hour deal, Manus Air Base will stay open after all.

I analyze this in some detail at the link.  The short story, though, is that Dave Schuler‘s February assertion that the Russians had simply outbid the us for the rights was correct.

Let’s just say that you don’t want to get into a bidding war with people who can spend $1.3 trillion in a single afternoon.

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. No one can print money faster than we can. USA! USA!

  2. Dave Schuler says:

    Haven’t you ever heard of the power of the press?

  3. Dodd says:

    you don’t want to get into a bidding war with people who can spend $1.3 trillion in a single afternoon.

    Let’s hope Barack Obama never wants the same set of Babylon 5 collector’s plates I do then.

  4. Dave Schuler says:

    Somehow the president doesn’t strike me as the B5 type so I think you’re safe, Dodd.

  5. Michael says:

    Somehow the president doesn’t strike me as the B5 type so I think you’re safe, Dodd.

    I don’t know, I’ve heard he’s always been a sci-fi fan, and B5 was one of the best told stories on TV.

  6. yetanotherjohn says:

    I suspected this would happen. Especially as I wasn’t hearing anything from the pentagon as to how hard this would be.