September 20, 2005: In Uzbekistan, 200 Russian paratroopers and 200 Uzbek mountain troops trained together in counter-terrorist exercises. 

September 19, 2005: Russia is giving  Kyrgyzstan some assault rifles and helicopters, as part of the Russian program of firming up its control and influence in Central Asia. These weapons are ostensibly for counter-terror operations. 

September 15, 2005: In Tajikistan, Russian troops demonstrated counter-terror operations for observers from the Tajik armed forces. 

September 11, 2005: Despite 6,000 Russian troops helping defend its Afghan border, Tajikistan has offered to provide a base for the United States, to replace the one lost in neighboring Uzbekistan. Tajikistan has always been a little nervous about being too cozy with Russia. The Central Asian states, that used to be part of the former Soviet Union, want to be independent, but most are run by dictators who are former Soviet bureaucrats.