Jim Oberg wrote:
Most stories quote the NASA assertion, "The Soyuz relocation cleared the
Pirs Docking Compartment, which doubles as an airlock, for spacewalks now
scheduled for January and March."

But haven't they already done an EVA from Pirs with the Soyuz in place on
Pirs, like, on the last Expedition?

Was this a requirement, or a desirement? And was it really connected with
the EVAs, or with the next Soyuz docking?

On reflection, it does seem unnecessary for a two man crew. For a three
man crew, it's clearly necessary: it allows the non-EVA crewmember to
work in the station, operate the SSRMS, etc, while having a clear route
to the Soyuz in an emergency. Leaving the Soyuz at Pirs would confine
them to the Soyuz.

But that isn't a constraint with a two-man crew, so it does appear
unnecessary.

--Chris