That base was there long before "the western mainstream media [talked] about Russia being a threat". Its original purpose was to support operations Afghanistan

That base was there long before "the western mainstream media [talked] about Russia being a threat". Its original purpose was to support operations Afghanistan. Look on a map -- the base is nowhere near Russia proper. You'd have to go well north through the rest of Uzbekistan, then Kazakhstan. If anything it is a statement to Pakistan or Iran.