In Kyrgyzstan, Protests Challenge the President’s Place in Power

An overnight outbreak of violent protest activity over parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan casts doubt over President Sooronbay Jeenbekov’s continued rule, but is unlikely to shift the country’s overall policy direction. Following initial limited and peaceful protests in Bishkek, where opposition demonstrators accused Jeenbekov’s supporters of widespread vote-buying, the situation rapidly devolved into violence during the evening of Oct. 5. The situation in Bishkek has now developed into a tense standoff where protesters control various government buildings and have released jailed political opponents of Jeenbekov, while the president himself has not indicated a desire to resign....