Kyrgyzstan - Regime Security and Foreign Policy

Kyrgyzstan is an interesting example of a relatively weak state, but one where the regime has remained intact despite the fact that its military is scrupulously neutral, rather than pro-regime, and despite ethnic conflict between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz. This book explores this apparent paradox and argues that Kyrgyzstan’s foreign policy and international relationships are key to understanding the nature of the Kyrgyz state. It shows how the foreign policy links to the Manas Air Base, used by the US military, and the economic arrangements necessary for sustaining the base, combine to overshadow points of friction to ensure stable continuance of the status quo.