After Kyrgyzstan announced the closure of Manas Air Base, many analysts speculated about Russia’s role in the affair, particularly in light of the $2 billion financial assistance package Russia giftwrapped for its former republic.

Today, the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan officially voted to end the American military’s eight-year lease on Manas. The New York Times reports that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev “is expected to send Washington an official notification requiring it to vacate the base within six months.”

“I think that the Russians are trying to have it both ways with respect to Afghanistan in terms of Manas,” said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates. “On one hand, you’re making positive noises about working with us in Afghanistan, and on the other hand you’re working against us in terms of that airfield which is clearly important to us.”

Meanwhile, UPI has one of the best, most concise summaries I’ve seen of the political dimensions to the affair. But don’t call Russia’s response contradictory, says this writer in The Moscow Times.