[Politico] The U.S. is in talks with countries that border Afghanistan about housing "over the horizon" counterterrorism operations that would allow the U.S. military to more easily surveil and strike targets in the Taliban-controlled nation, according to senators who attended a classified hearing with Pentagon leaders this week. Those sites could include bases run by Russia in those countries, they said.
After testifying publicly before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, a trio of the military's top officials briefed lawmakers behind closed doors about the discussions, which are taking place with the governments of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and others, the senators said.
The disclosure to lawmakers on Tuesday came just hours after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged that the U.S. has asked Russia for "clarification" about an offer from President Vladimir Putin to host the U.S. counterterrorism operations on Russian military bases in central Asia.
During the classified session, senators were told that that option is being seriously considered, the lawmakers added. Gen. Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, the U.S. Central Command chief, went into detail about specific types of aircraft and launching points that could be used to strike terrorist targets in Afghanistan.
Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also described to senators the nature of his conversations with his Russian counterpart, Valery Gerasimov, the senators added. The Wall Street Journal first reported that Milley raised the issue with Gerasimov, but the further details of the talks have not been previously reported.
"It's their territory. But I think, realistically, Russia has influence there," Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said of the neighboring countries. "And so [Russia] may not have a veto, but they certainly have an influence. So you have to talk to them."
Representatives for the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 
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