Germany Pledges Aid for Kyrgyzstan during Tough Times

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Kyrgyzstan and praised the government for its commitment to democracy, according to Deutsche Welle. Germany pledged additional money to Kyrgyzstan to combat the Islamic State’s growing influence in the region. Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Erlan Abdyldaev stated that his government needs more aid to combat the spread of radicalism.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Kyrgyzstan and praised the government for its commitment to democracy, according to Deutsche Welle. Germany pledged additional money to Kyrgyzstan to combat the Islamic State’s growing influence in the region. Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Erlan Abdyldaev stated that his government needs more aid to combat the spread of radicalism.

Western assistance will provide a solid buffer against radical Islam, but lackluster economic growth is a prime factor, which makes citizens susceptible to propaganda that urges them to take arms in Iraq and Syria. Kyrgyzstan relies on gold and coal for vital sources of revenue, but lower commodity prices and the Russian recession have stunted the economy.

The commodity sector, however, never lifted many people out of poverty, as 40% of the country’s citizenry remain destitute. With that, the nation has advanced in certain sectors, such as agriculture, where the sector has given way to lucrative cotton and wool production.

Kyrgyzstan is one among many former Soviet states that gained independence after the USSR’s downfall, but still relies on Russia to maintain prosperity. Kyrgyzstan received financial aid from around the world, but remains on friendly terms with the Russians, and Moscow has helped through debt write-offs and financial assistance. President Almazbek Atambayev is an open supporter of Russia and has entered his country into Moscow’s Eurasian Customs Union.

Atambayev took helm in 2011 after a 2010 uprising, which resulted in numerous deaths, the removal of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, and a shift to a parliamentary system. Witnesses recalled instances of mass murder and torture throughout the country, and the nation has since dealt with sporadic cases of violence.

The uprising began as a political revolution, as people protested higher living costs and corruption, but later devolved into ethnic clashes between the Kyrgyz and Uzbeks, displacing many people throughout the land. The bloody episode caused the world community to focus on Kyrgyzstan’s stability, especially with the rise of ISIS and other extremist groups.

ISIS has branched out into other unstable countries, such as Afghanistan and Libya, and many world leaders fear that Central Asia could be the next breeding ground for ISIS, especially as the region undergoes economic turmoil.

Kyrgyzstan has dealt with terrorist attacks and has worked with Western and Russian authorities against terrorism. Critics cite the government’s closer ties with the West as a reason why the country has fallen prey to attacks. For instance, the tourist sector has expanded, and Kyrgyzstan is the number one emerging tourist spot in 2016, notes Business Insider.

The economy will maintain commodity-driven output going forward; policymakers can grow the economy through the enhancement of certain sectors, such as tourism, but issues of stability and security remain open questions. Authorities have thus far refused to scrap the tourist-friendly visa program, despite ongoing threats of violence.