Kyrgyzstan chooses new president today

The Central Asian nation of kyrgystan hosts a key US military air base votes today in a presidential election that is almost certain to tighten the incumbent's grip on power in the former Soviet republic.
If re-elected, Kurmanbek Bakiyev is expected to continue his impoverished country's policy of playing Moscow against Washington in an effort to win aid from both. Bakiyev campaigned on a platform of stability, appealing to voter's desire to see an end to political turmoil. But the opposition accuses him of using intimidation to help ensure the continuation of his rule.