The U.S. made history this week by offering aid to the former republic of the Soviet Union, Georgia. The deal, involving helicopter gunships quietly snuck in earlier and some training with U.S. Special Ops teams (some 200 is being touted about), may later put the U.S. in position to have an additional staging point for operations in the middle east.
The political ramifications, aside from some grumbling from the Soviets who are probably just unhappy at the prospect their own political position with their former republic might be effected, are mostly positive for the U.S.
With a position north of Turkey, the Georgian location provides additional staging areas into the middle east, allowing for additional planning options for inland operations in the region.
While no U.S. base is being talked about at this point, U.S. force protection requirements may require at least a small outpost. A lengthy deployment may mean a larger presence as quality of life requirements for U.S. forces forces more friendly infrastructure.
The key element of the Georgian position is that the U.S. appears to have found another ally in the War on Terror, and the ATC (Anti-Terrorist Coalition) grows stronger with each new member.
And of course, operations against Iraq or Iran will be much easier should the U.S. choose to go after the Axis of Evil.