What's more, adds Kieran Daly, editor of Air Transport Intelligence, there isn't a simple quid pro quo in terms of cabitage.

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However, Kieran Daly, from the online aviation news service Air Transport Intelligence, told CNN that this scenario, while not impossible, is inconceivable.

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But David Kaminski-Morrow, editor of online news service Air Transport Intelligence, said the move would be unlikely because Ryanair is well established at London's Stansted Airport.

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The Americans will, however, continue to provide most of the intelligence, transport and firepower for special operations and, probably, a lot of the direction on the ground.

ECONOMIST: American-Afghan relations

Despite more than two million troops in uniform - not counting the US military - Nato has struggled, at times desperately, to sustain a deployment of 25, 000 to 40, 000 troops, not just in boots on the ground, but in crucial support assets such as helicopters, transport aircraft, maintenance, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and much more.

BBC: Robert Gates on Nato's dim future