Kyrgyzstan: Challenges to Stability

Nationwide protests in Kyrgyzstan continued March 15. Rallies with up to a few thousand protesters have been held in Bishkek, Jalal-Abad and other cities for weeks over a wide range of political and economic issues. The unrest serves as a reminder of the country's fragile political and security environment. Domestic political divisions, tensions with neighbors and economic problems are putting the Kyrgyz government under pressure and threatening greater instability. Though Russian assistance has helped counter such problems, it does not provide any guarantee that Bishkek can stave off its challenges indefinitely.