Political parties backed by Russia and Kazakhstan are poised to take power in Kyrgyzstan, threatening closure for a strategic US airbase for the war in Afghanistan.
Will we really lose our Manas airbase in Kyrgyzstan because a "pro-Russian" coalition will win? When our relations with Russia are reset? When Russia agreed to allow our supply shipments to Afghanistan through their territory? When Russia supposedly supports our fight in Afghanistan?
But the chance to screw us over is just too strong, I guess.
It's like Moscow is just acting all Russiany, still viewing America as their enemy. Maybe it is just me, but I don't think that justifying NATO's existence should be all that difficult under the circumstances.
As for my preference, let's not try to over-complicate this question of NATO's purpose. I'd rather the European NATO members focus on defending their continent rather than alienating them from America in an effort to get meaningless military contributions, grudgingly provided, to fight at our side (or just watch, usually). If Europe can defend itself, that frees up our assets for other fights. And if some are capable of sending real forces to actually fight? Well, we're into bonus territory.
We are still in the gray area of Russia being neither an active threat nor a reliable partner. One day, Russia may come to its senses and join the West, putting NATO out of a job. But we are a long way from that day.
