U.S. Expands Global Presence
By Ewen MacAskill


The U.S. is putting a network of military bases across the length of Asia, from the Red Sea to the Pacific. U.S. forces are active in the biggest array of countries since WWII. 
Yet another base in Central Asia has just been announced, a region where there was no U.S. presence before September 11. The new base in Kyrgystan will have 3,000 military personnel and combat aircraft. 
The U.S. has also established bases, manned by 3,000 troops, in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. U.S. troops are also stationed in Pakistan. The U.S. government says publicly it will leave the Central Asian bases after the "war on terrorism" is over but privately officials admit they are there to stay. 
The U.S. is sending military advisers to a host of countries, including 200 advisers plus Huey helicopters to Georgia. The U.S. is patrolling the waters that encompass Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia and will send 100 military advisers to Yemen. U.S. special forces are believed to be in the Sudan working with opposition groups from Somalia. In the Philippines, 660 U.S. soldiers are helping to train and equip 3,800 Filipino soldiers in the fight against Islamist rebels.

Source: The Guardian, March 8, 2002

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Boosting Military Aid, Training and Arms 
By Esther Schrader


The Bush administration is preparing to provide U.S. military advisors, weapons and special training to governments in Central Asia, the Mideast and Africa over the next six months in an expanded effort to mount proxy fights against terrorists.
The administration has sought a 27% increase in a federal program to bolster foreign militaries. Money, materiel and U.S. military trainers would go to Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Jordan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Source: L.A. Times, March 5, 2002.