After Georgia and Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan has become the latest former Soviet republic to have a popular insurrection. Events in the Central Asian seem to be moving at light speed but as of 10 AM Thursday morning (New York time), the BBC reports that the opposition says it has taken control of the capital, Bishkek, after overrunning the president's palace.
Demonstrations intensified after recent parliamentary elections, which the opposition claims were rigged. They started in outlying areas, with the opposition even even seizing the town of Jalal-Abad. But protests quickly spread to the capital. Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of the country's leader, Askar Akayev.
The unrest in Kyrgyzstan, a poor and mountainous country which is seen as strategically important, is being stoked by its economic problems and alleged government corruption.
No word on if President Bush has taken credit yet for the Kyrgyz uprising.
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