Another Day, Another Former Soviet Republic in Revolt

In the space of two days, some fed-up Kyrgyzs have stormed Bishkek's presidential palace, sent packing President Askar Akayev, installed opposition leader Ishenbai Kadyrbekov and won Putin's support. A friend in Bishkek e-mails:

I followed the protesters into the building and up to the president's office where they fought with security guards before trashing the place. They were taking photos of each other in Akaev's chair, eating his food, wearing his robes and working out on his gym equipment. Within minutes the place was gutted, and people threw chairs, computers, anything out the windows.

I went to an internet cafe to file my story and when I made it back into town everyone had gone wild and was looting everything they could get their hands on. There were people waiting at the bus stops with couches, fridges, clothing and food.

This morning things are calm, the buses are running and everyone is going to work.