Political scientist Bakyt Baketaev commented on the controversial film about the president

Political scientist Bakyt Baketaev shared a detailed analysis of the sensational film about the activities of Sadyr Japarov, the president of Kyrgyzstan. The second episode of this documentary project attracted particular attention due to the discussion of the border conflict with Tajikistan and negotiations with Emomali Rahmon.

The expert noted that politics is rarely "pure morality"; more often, it is a sphere of complex compromises and decisions that do not always receive approval. It is in such moments, according to Baketaev, that the true strength of a leader is revealed.

Absence of War

Baketaev emphasizes that many today perceive the absence of a large-scale war between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan at the beginning of 2021 as a given. However, he believes that the situation was extremely tense and dangerous.

"The young president, who received significant support from the people, faced a choice: either to follow national pride to the end or to sacrifice his ambitions for the sake of saving lives. Sadyr Japarov chose the second path," the political scientist emphasizes.

According to him, the head of state entered negotiations in a "bent position" — not physically, but in a political and psychological sense. This decision, in Baketaev's opinion, requires inner strength and courage.

Strength in Self-Restraint

The political scientist points out the fallacy of the opinion that rigidity is always equivalent to strength. True power, in his view, often manifests itself in the ability to self-control and self-restraint.

"This was a conscious choice that could be perceived as weakness both within the country and beyond its borders. But it was made to prevent human casualties and escalation of the conflict," he adds.

Baketaev emphasizes that Emomali Rahmon appreciated this step, which allowed the negotiations to shift from a rigid framework to a diplomatic one. This is a rare case where two leaders prioritized long-term stability over short-term political interests.

A Lesson for the Region

In his commentary, Baketaev also mentions the broader context. He believes that if many modern conflicts were resolved through self-restraint, the world would look different. Central Asia, in his opinion, provided an important philosophical and political lesson.

He specifically noted the contribution of Uzbekistan's president Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who became an important factor in reducing tension and developing regional dialogue. According to him, the region is gradually moving away from a logic of mutual suspicion to a logic of mutual responsibility.

Protection of Peace

Nevertheless, Bakyt Baketaev emphasizes that peace is not only the result of negotiations but also the necessity of its protection. Strengthening Kyrgyzstan's defense capabilities and modernizing the army, in his opinion, have become important elements of deterrence.

He also mentioned the support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who provided military-technical assistance to Kyrgyzstan, including the supply of Bayraktar drones. The political scientist noted that Sadyr Japarov, as a deputy, visited Northern Cyprus in the mid-2000s, which left a positive impression in Turkey.

Modern Challenges

In conclusion, Bakyt Baketaev emphasizes that the leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan demonstrated in critical moments that even sharp border conflicts can be resolved through the responsibility, maturity, and self-control characteristic of the 21st century.

"Peace is not an automatic state; it needs to be established," he concludes, adding that Central Asia not only avoided war but also took a step toward a new political culture. This lesson, in his opinion, can be valuable for the entire world.