Ask AP: Stimulus Money Refused, US Base Opposed

Daniel Lippman

Washington

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Russia may in fact have more to fear from the spiraling violence in Afghanistan than the United States does.

Much of former Soviet Central Asia — which includes Kyrgyzstan — is still very impoverished, ruled by weak governments and faces the threat of violence from radical Islamic forces. If Afghanistan's violence or radical Islamic ideologies spread, they could spill northward and destabilize those countries.

Russia is also grappling with surging illegal drug use and much of Afghanistan's illegal drug crop — destined for Europe or other Western markets — is trafficked through Russia's porous and corruption-rife borders.

However, Russia also considers Central Asia part of its historic sphere of influence and has long been wary of the U.S. presence there, set up after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Also, despite its poverty, Central Asia has substantial oil and gas reserves. In recent years, Russia has jockeyed with the United States, as well as China, for influence in the region — with an eye toward securing access to those valuable reserves.