"And that's when Kyrgyzstan started calling on Russia to get involved. And then Uzbekistan thought, 'Okay, this was all set up by Russia in order to combat Uzbekistan.' So it's pretty much a war of paranoias, almost, that's going on between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan," she added.

The Soviet Union sent troops to quell the last major outbreak of interethnic unrest in 1990. But Russia has been reluctant to dispatch troops unilaterally or through the Collective Security Treaty Organization - a grouping of former Soviet states - in response to the current situation.

Sentiment against neighbors

Thomas Wood says Uzbekistan has exploited sentiment against its regional neighbors since it became independent in 1991.

"It has gone down the road of a form of ultranationalism where important to this nationalism was secure borders and border fences," he said. "And the regime tended to play up the idea of disorder and threats on the other side of the border that therefore reinforced their own legitimacy and right to rule."

The Kyrgyz interim government, which most analysts note is weak, is expected to hold a constitutional referendum on June 27, with parliamentary elections to be held sometime thereafter. The government insists this month's vote will be held as scheduled. But many analysts are skeptical that a shaky interim government will be able to organize a credible referendum in such a tense climate.