Topic: Kyrgyz Politics

Russian hydroelectric project strengthens bond with Kyrgyzstan

A project to build four hydroelectric power stations will extend the Kremlin's footprint in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz officials welcome the investment, which could boost their economy.

Russia bolsters influence in Kyrgyzstan as US nears airbase exit

Vladimir Putin is getting most of what he wants out Kyrgyzstan, including a lease extension on a Russian airbase and part ownership of a torpedo plant, while America's star there is on the wane.

US-Russia 'reset' gets a boost with Russian offer of airbase

Russia has made an unprecedented offer that indicates a desire to improve ties ahead of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.  

Kyrgyzstan elections: Unity top priority for Atambayev

Newly elected Kyrgyzstan President Almazbek Atambayev has said his biggest challenge will be to unify the country, which has seen two revolutions and a string of questionable elections during the past decade.

How 5 revolutions got their names

Questions are cropping up about the appropriateness of calling Tunisia's uprising the "Jasmine Revolution" – stemming from the fact that the term has been used in reference to Syria in 2005 and even the path that brought ousted Tunisian President Ben Ali to power. But the moniker could stick, at least partially because it's become a tradition of sorts to name the revolutions of the 2000s after colors and flowers and even household items. Here's an overview of some of the popular revolutions – and their nicknames – that preceded Tunisia's ... whatever you want to call it:

Ambiguity surrounding Kyrgyzstan elections raises fresh concern of instability

The Kyrgyz government Wednesday approved a controversial vote recount, raising the specter of fresh instability in a country whose political system has been shattered by two violent revolutions in barely five years.

Kyrgyzstan elections signal unease with parliamentary rule

Weekend Kyrgyzstan elections came off smoothly and fairly. But they also demonstrate popular unease with reforms designed to prevent a return to one-man rule.

Kyrgyzstan ex-president's brother arrested - with wig and fake mustache

Police say they found the brother of ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev with a pistol and ammunition, a wig, and a false mustache and beard. He was arrested for having a role in the Kyrgyzstan violence last month.

Why Russia's Medvedev is blasting ally Kyrgyzstan

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev unexpectedly criticized a government reform vote in Kyrgyzstan that passed Sunday with 91 percent support.

Kyrgyzstan failure could boost Afghan drug trade, Islamist radicals

The recent wave of ethnic violence is Kyrgyzstan's second violent upheaval in five years. A June 27 referendum could bolster the weak government, but lingering security problems may hamper the vote.

Opinion: To make progress on Afghanistan and Russia, Obama must get Kyrgyzstan right

Politically unstable Kyrgyzstan, which experienced a coup this spring, is home to a US air base that's critical to the war in Afghanistan. Russia is paying close attention. So should Washington.

Kyrgyz violence could threaten China's influence

Kyrgyz violence has slowed trade between China and Kyrgyzstan to a trickle, allowing rival Russia to step up its already dominant influence.

Should the US and Russia work together to resolve Kyrgyzstan crisis?

Kyrgyzstan riots led to ethnic cleansing; government blames Bakiyev

The Kyrgyzstan riots that ethnically cleansed the city of Osh of much of its Uzbek population could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. The interim government blames ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, and says the situation is improving.

Kyrgyzstan crisis spreads as 100,000 Uzbeks try to flee

The son of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was arrested in England on Tuesday for alleged links to the Kyrgyzstan violence. Nearly 200 have died and 100,000 ethnic Uzbeks have fled to the border with Uzbekistan.

Kyrgyzstan violence sends Uzbek refugees to the border

Ongoing Kyrgyzstan violence has sent 100,000 ethnic Uzbek's fleeing to the country's eastern border. The interim government has charged that gangs tied to ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev are responsible for starting the fighting.

Kyrgyz violence: Kyrgyzstan struggles to quell ethnic massacres

Kyrgyzstan has been unable to control the Kyrgyz violence, which has now killed more than 100 and wounded more than 1,000, though the death toll is likely to climb higher.

After 60 killed and hundreds injured, Kyrgyzstan leaders ask Russia to quell Kyrgyz violence

Kyrgyz violence has now killed 63 people, and injured 835 people in the south of Kyrgyzstan. Leaders are asking Russia to step in and assist in ending the violence.

Thirty-seven killed, 500 hurt in new wave of Kyrgyz violence

The intensity of the conflict appears to have taken authorities by surprise and has thrown the fragile interim government's prospects for survival into doubt.