By Kairat Osmonaliev & Johan Engvall (2/21/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: Since independence, organized crime has been one of the biggest obstacles to the development of a democratic Kyrgyzstan. Both the Akayev government before March 2005 and the current leadership have done little to relieve this threat. Racketeering has been permitted and organized criminal elements have been used as a tool in political confrontations.

By Nurshat Ababakirov (2/7/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: In late December, the government resigned, catching most analysts by surprise, not least the parliamentarians of the country. Former prime minister Felix Kulov explained this by pointing to the “unbearable” confrontation between the parliament and government, growing after the November rallies, which aimed to force the president to embark upon constitutional reforms. The protests were staged by opposition parliamentarians and other civil activists, while Kulov, whose position was critical on the matter, unabashedly appeared supportive of the president’s rigid position.

By Dmitry Shlapentokh (2/7/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: The surprise and uneasiness with which the authorities faced the riots and demonstrations during 2006 can be understood by taking into consideration that nothing in Russian society had provided a clue for the events to come. Indeed, while there were signs of Russian nationalism spreading among the masses of ethnic Russians, for whom it had become a form of social animus, there was no sign of protests that could be violent and comparatively well organized. All these signs of tranquility, and a general deep despise of the Russian masses, induced the authorities to ignore the signs of potential problems.