Kyrgyzstan just blew up

FluffyMcDeath

FluffyMcDeath

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Kyrgyzstan (wiki is right on top of developments, it seems) has been experiencing some violent protests.
[youtube:14c3x8jj]svprgC3PPyE[/youtube:14c3x8jj]

The BBC and Associated Press are both reporting that the opposition has taken over the government.

This is a serious blow to the "Tulip Revolution" and US influence in the region. Also hit are Western mineral holdings such as Canadian mining company Centerra Gold Inc which lost share value after the take over due to fears about what will happen to their gold mine there.

Even worse, for the US at least, the loss of a complaint ally could put a crimp on military operations in Afghanistan though for now the military are putting a brave face on it all.

Interesting times.
 
Wow. History in the making. Fun.
 
Looks like Putin scores another victory:

2010 Kyrgyzstan riots

The Eurasian Daily Monitor reported on April 1 that, for two weeks, the Kremlin has used the Russian mass media to spread disparaging information about the Kyrgyzstan administration. Russia controls much of the media in Kyrgyzstan. The sudden campaign coincided with Kyrgyzstan's hesitation to host a new Russian military base.[14] On April 1 Russia also imposed duties on energy exports to Kyrgyzstan. It influenced fuel and transport prices immediately, and reportedly led to a massive protest in Talas on April 6.[15] In response to such allegations, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin denied any Russian involvement and said the incident had personally caught him "off guard" and that "Neither Russia nor your humble servant nor Russian officials have anything to do with these events".
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In a way, I kinda miss the Soviets. They were bad ass and didn't try to hide it. "We wanted Kyrgyzstan, now we own it, so screw off", none of this "humble servant" and "caught off guard" crap. They were tyrants, but at least they were honest tyrants. Now they're like the US.
 
Glaucus said:
Looks like Putin scores another victory:
In a way, I kinda miss the Soviets. They were bad ass and didn't try to hide it. "We wanted Kyrgyzstan, now we own it, so screw off", none of this "humble servant" and "caught off guard" crap. They were tyrants, but at least they were honest tyrants. Now they're like the US.
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I don't think this is such a big change. This is the way the large powers have been fighting wars for centuries. The full frontal hot wars have been more the exception than the rule (because they cost so much!!)

As to whether Putin will continue to allow US operations in Afghanistan, he probably will. He has been giving logistical support in the North - it benefits him to do so. America continues to weaken itself while China/Russia keep building and it keeps the dreaded Taliban at bay - two enemies down without having to get too involved yourself. Sounds like a good deal.

All the little NATO outposts will start falling back to Russia as the US runs out of the money required to prop them out / pay them off. When the US finally do get chased out of Afghanistan then Iraq will become quite precarious and they may have to let that go too and settle for Saudi Arabia and Africa instead.

Still yet to see what Europe's ambitions might be but they are in a bit of a pickle right now with the Euro. They might not be much of a coalition and if they aren't a force to be reckoned with then the UK will probably stick with the US - actually now that I think about it, Europe has been under US occupation since the end of the war so their chances of becoming an independent power are pretty slim until the US folds completely and that's not going to happen overnight.

Not sure about India either - they have lots of people and some nukes and increasing industrial significance and a high opinion of themselves. They're going to be wanting more pie, me thinks.
 
New government to block US airbase.

Can't see that going down too well in Washington, but then again - what can they do with Russia sitting right next to them watching. It's quite clear that the US is there only at the pleasure of Russia. They can try another colour revolution but the Russians probably wouldn't allow it.
 
US troop transports have been resumed apparently.

The link here doesn't actually concern Kyrgyzstan at all but lays out some of the geopolitics in the Afghan region.

Another important note that I don't think I mentioned yet is that Kyrgyzstan shares a border with China.
 
Last night I read an article (can't remember where exactly) that there is growing skepticism in Poland about the Russian investigation. Apparently Polish journalists awaiting the flight had all their cameras confiscated by the Russian authorities before the plan was about to land. But I'd take that with a grain of salt.

EDIT: Oops, wrong thread.
 
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