Clashes at protest vs US base expansion in Italy

By Ariel David

ROME (AP) — Protesters clashed with police at a demonstration Saturday against the planned expansion of an airport and U.S. military base in the northern city of Vicenza.

Demonstrators wearing helmets and carrying plastic shields threw stones and other objects at officers guarding a bridge on the route of the protest. Police fired tear gas canisters and clubbed some demonstrators, but no injuries were immediately reported. Several thousand protesters, many from other Italian cities, converged on Vicenza to march against the expansion of the Dal Molin airport. (...)

Rally against Dal Molin expansion set for Saturday

By Kent Harris

VICENZA, Italy — Tens of thousands of Italians traditionally gather in Vicenza to celebrate the United States’ Independence Day with members of the American military community. But the only large gathering planned for this Saturday at Caserma Ederle is a protest against the American military presence in the country.

U.S. pays to keep Kyrgyz base open for Afghan supply

By Olga Dzyubenko

BISHKEK - The United States has agreed to pay $180 million to Kyrgyzstan to keep open the last remaining U.S. air base in Central Asia which is used to supply troops fighting Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.

The United States has been bargaining with Kyrgyzstan to keep the Manas air base open since February when the former Soviet republic announced its closure after securing pledges of $2 billion in aid and credit from Russia.

US and Kyrgyzstan sign new air base deal

By Isabel Gorst

Kyrgyzstan said on Tuesday it would temporarily allow the US to continue using a military air base on its territory that is critical to coalition forces fighting the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Kadyrbek Sarbayev, the Kyrgyz foreign minister, said Washington had agreed to more than triple the rent for use of the Manas base, a transit hub used for refuelling aircraft carrying troops to Afghanistan.

Bill seeks halt to Europe base closures

By Steve Mraz

A congressional effort aims to halt future closures of U.S. military installations in Europe if the measure becomes law.

Dubbed the NATO First Act, House Resolution 2797 would "fortify America’s trans-Atlantic security links with our European allies and partners," according to a press release from Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio, a co-sponsor of the bill.

Army announces Europe unit moves

By Jim Tice - Staff writer

Several combat arms and force sustainment units will trade locations in Germany under the fiscal 2010 U.S. Army Europe transformation plan announced May 13 in Heidelberg.

USAREUR announces unit shifts

By Kent Harris

A few thousand soldiers and their families will move to new locations in Germany and Italy or back to the United States during the next fiscal year, according to an announcement Wednesday by U.S. Army Europe.

Closing Military Bases

By John Pomfret

Looking to cut billions from the federal budget? Consider closing some of the 1,000 military bases the United States maintains abroad.

Empire of bases

By Hugh Gusterson

Before reading this article, try to answer this question: How many military bases does the United States have in other countries: a) 100; b) 300; c) 700; or d) 1,000.

Imagine an Occupied America

by Congressman Ron Paul

Imagine for a moment that somewhere in the middle of Texas there was a large foreign military base, say Chinese or Russian. Imagine that thousands of armed foreign troops were constantly patrolling American streets in military vehicles. Imagine they were here under the auspices of "keeping us safe" or "promoting democracy" or "protecting their strategic interests."

Transforming United States Air Forces in Europe and Empowering Poland: F-16s Fly East

by Lt Col Christopher S. Sage, USAF*

USAFE continues to transform itself . . . with a greater focus on Eastern Europe. —Gen Tom Hobbins, USAF, Retired Former Commander United States Air Forces in Europe

Poland is probably the most pro-American society in Europe. —Lech Kaczyn´ ski President, Republic of Poland