Russia To Open Air Space To U.S. For Afghanistan War

The Russian government has agreed to let American troops and weapons bound for Afghanistan fly over Russian territory, officials on both sides said Friday. The arrangement will provide an important new corridor for the United States military as it escalates efforts to win the eight-year war. The agreement, to be announced when President Obama visits here in Moscow on Monday and Tuesday, represents one of the most concrete achievements in the administration’s effort to ease relations with Russia after years of tension. The two sides failed to make a trade deal or resolve differences over missile defense, and are struggling to draft a preliminary nuclear arms deal. The blend of success and stalemate leading to President Obama’s visit suggests that it is easier to talk about a “reset” button than to press it. The promise of a... [read full story]                    

powered by