Russia and Uzbekistan will hold in October their first joint military exercise since 2005 at Uzbekistan's Forish training facility, 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Tashkent, according to a statement by Russia's Central Military District, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported July 7. Uzbekistan has resisted being pulled into Russia's orbit since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Concerns about spillover of violence from Afghanistan, however, has prompted Uzbekistan to reconsider warming relations with its neighbors. But Uzbekistan made clear it is not interested in rejoining a military alliance with Russia, as it continues to hedge Russian influence in the region.