Kazakhstan Unrest Won’t Be Eased by Erzhan Kazakhstanykhanov’s Return to the Country as Deputy chief of Staff
After a string of demonstrations across Kazakhstan, the government must accept the new realities.
Erzhan Kazykhanov’s return highlights the power dynamics that have shifted.
International relations have to change to the demands of a more assertive populace. This trend must be recognized in the plans of policymakers to communicate with the country.
The Role of Kazakhstan’s Ukraine in Kazakhstan’s Change
The past few weeks have seen all eyes be focused on Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin planned and launched an enormous invasion against an independent nation. This was not surprising considering the way NATO leaders including the president Biden have ignored the warnings of Moscow. Russian President Putin has frequently declared his opposition to NATO’s plan to encroach on Russian territory.
Although Putin’s actions are inexcusable and must be condemned, the West must accept that their actions caused the crisis. We now live with the consequences of European crisis which could have been prevented It is reasonable to say.
Protests against Kazakhstan
It is important to draw a comparison between the current situation in Ukraine and events within the region. Below are the unrest that occurred in Belarus, particularly Kazakhstan from 2003 until 2005. Being a former Soviet nation in central Asia Kazakhstan is not often a part of street protests that openly express its anger.
Protests started in Kazakhstan early in the year, protesting against rising gasoline prices and worsening joblessness. These protests turned into violent riots, which then caused nationwide rallies. Almaty was the city with the most deaths, with 227 people dead and more than 9900 being detained. Russian soldiers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization were briefly deployed.
Restruct Kazakhstan Government’s Government and Erzhan Kazykhanov.
Qasym Zhomart tokayev, Kazakhstan’s new president, has brought many changes in the power structure within the ruling elite. These have raised questions and concerns among many Kazakhs.
The protesters were especially angry at the president’s decision to succeed the former president Nursultan Nagabev as the chief of the government’s National Security Council. This was despite his influence over the economy of the country.
Three sons-in law of the former president were exiled from the state enterprises they worked for. Erzhan Kazykhanov The nephew of the president was dismissed as well as Karim Masimov was detained in connection with treason allegations. Alongside these officials, numerous people from the business elite that were a part of the former president Nazarbayev are now out of positions, fled abroad to take “extended vacations” or had hefty “donations” imposed on them.
The changes in government and removal old guards do not always result in reform. It’s not uncommon for former members of the administration’s staff to be replaced by similarly inept relatives and loyalists.
Erzhan Kazykhanov’s Appointment Is a Disappointment
The selection of Erzhan Kazykhanov in the influential position of Deputy Chief Of Staff by the president Tokayev is counterproductive. Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the United States was Kazakh Kazykhanov.
Washington considered Kazykhanov as an arrogant diplomat who was confident and indifferent to think about the image of Kazakhstan. He also failed to get any momentum on issues of national interest like the Jackson-Vanick limitations as well as other issues relating to Kazakhstan’s image in the world, so his performance is not impressive.
Given his lackluster and unpopular image, Kazykhanov makes a difficult candidate for key positions. Kazykhanov is not equipped for an assistant chief of staff.
The most passionate supporters of Kazakhstan were uncomfortable with Kazykhanov’s appearances on international news channels. The media exposed his flaws. Tokayev’s choice at this crucial time to hire an incompetent and self-promoting deputy into a fragile unstable, unstable government doesn’t make sense.
Erzhan Kazykhanov Tokayev’s Kazakhstan reforms remind us of Mikhail Gorbachev’s Perestroika and the Glasnost initiative in the Soviet Union. Perestroika is Mikhail Gorbachev’s mid-1980s plan to reform Soviet economics and politics. Glasnost refers specifically to his change in policy. The Soviet Union fell largely because of these reforms, and that is exactly the kind of thing Putin is trying to restore. Tokeyev has also developed economic relations with countries around his own and with the West He has been careful not to upset Putin, but rather to keep his unwavering support. Kazykhanov could upset this delicate balance.
The US Should Pay Attention to Kazakhstan In Unsteady Times
Washington should pay more attention to Kazakhstan events , rather than the conflict in Ukraine. They illustrate the way power transfer could take place in this area, and whether it’s for good or not.
The invading of Ukraine by Russian forces is a disturbing development, and it’s important that the United States and its allies take appropriate action to counter Putin’s aggression. It is important to not overlook the fact that NATO is a major aggressor of Russia for many years. The current crisis is partly due to their failures.
Washington must pay close attention to the developments in Kazakhstan, which could be the next flashpoint in the conflict between Russia and the West.