kazakhstan
The Central Asian leaders do not necessarily have to amend the Constitution frequently to stay in power, while the sequence of presidents does not mean that the state is a democratic one. (more…)
The “Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Gas Union” stands at a pivotal crossroads, symbolizing a significant shift in Central Asian energy dynamics. Initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, this trilateral alliance aims to transport Russian gas to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan, marking a historical moment as it is the first time Russian gas is pumped toward Central Asia. However, the union faces scrutiny and cautious participation from Uzbekistan, reflecting the complex geopolitical and economic implications of this energy project. This development, arising amidst acute energy challenges in the region, seeks to address immediate needs but also poses long-term geopolitical and economic questions for the involved nations. (more…)
What are think tanks of Kazakhstan today? What role do experts play in shaping the country’s political course? How is expert knowledge translated into tangible programs and real reforms? We asked Dr. Vera Axyonova, a researcher at the University of Vienna, these and many other questions.
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Central Asian countries need to clearly understand the risks of developing cooperation with Germany according to the formula “raw materials for technology”, as there is a risk of increasing dependence on energy resources, says Eldaniz Huseynov, a specialist in European and international studies of the Heartland Expert Analytical Center, commenting on the results of the last summit “Germany-Central Asia”. (more…)
Power sector is one of the most attractive sectors of Kazakhstan economy for Chinese investors. The volume of investments from China to this sphere has already exceeded 25 billion dollars in the last 17 years. China is interested not only in petroleum and gas projects, but also in renewable energy, which is of special interest to Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstani authorities need to pay more attention to the consequences of nuclear testing in the Semipalatinsk region, says Aigerim Musabalinova, PhD, a national expert on children’s rights, researcher and consultant. A brief study conducted in September 2022 in the field of education revealed that there has yet to be an attempt at the state level to assess the damage done to the region and the people. (more…)
An ambitious infrastructure project in Afghanistan risks exacerbating scarcities in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. (more…)
The Southern Transport Corridor should not be viewed as a threat by Kazakhstan, but rather be taken as a sign that it is necessary to strengthen Central Asian cooperation and create joint logistics projects with its neighbours, according to Kanat Nogoibayev, a graduate of the CABAR.asia School of Analytics. (more…)
In recent years, China has been actively trying to expand its influence in Kazakhstan and the Central Asian region as a whole. Beijing is allocating money for technical and economic cooperation, laying routes to the west through the region and increasing the number of soft power projects. The success of PRC educational projects is particularly evident. However, experts say that there are a number of factors that reduce the effectiveness of China’s soft power tools.
The government of Kazakhstan has admitted that there are much more poor people in the country than is shown in the official statistics. Specialists of the relevant ministry tried to count all those in need of help, according to European standards. Almost half of registered households of Kazakhstan turned out to be at the bad, crisis, emergency social levels.