Marutyan is looking to position himself as an alternative to both the unpopular government and the mainstream opposition, which is tainted by the corruption of the previous regime.
Kabul has since 2021 proven an unreliable customer. While regularly paying off part of its dues to Tajikistan, it has struggled to clear its debts outright.
The Bedel Pass is situated in a remote southeastern corner of Kyrgyzstan, sited roughly equidistantly from the Kyrgyz city of Karakol and Xinjiang’s Aksu Prefecture.