Politics

9 August 2024
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has canceled his trip to Central Asia. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu)
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, second left, hosts the leaders of China, Russia, Tajikistan and Belarus at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana on July 4.
Opinion

Kazakhstan leverages middle power status with West, China, Russia

Europe, U.S. need to enhance engagement with Astana

8 July 2024
Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization -- including China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin and the Kazakh host Kassym-Jomart Tokayev -- pose for a group photo in Astana on July 4.
International relations

China and Russia's security bloc tightens bonds as it expands

Belarus the latest to join SCO as group aims to counterbalance the West

5 July 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 3. (Sputnik/Pool photo via Reuters)
International relations

Xi Jinping meets Russia's Putin, backs Kazakhstan joining BRICS

Chinese president in Astana for regional SCO summit as tensions with West simmer

3 July 2024
Former Kazakh Economy Minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev during a court hearing in Astana on May 13, when he was found guilty of murdering his common-law wife and sentenced to 24 years in prison.
Crime

Murder trial of Kazakh ex-minister leads to reforms on domestic violence

Kuandyk Bishimbayev sentenced to 24 years in prison for torturing, killing his partner

14 May 2024
A production of "Tin Soldier" for children. (Photo by Yuriy Korotetskiy)
Arts

Russian war refugees boost Kazakhstan's theater scene

New plays bring diversity and cater to all ages in different languages

16 March 2024
Downtown Astana as seen from the official residence of Kazakhstan's president. The government aims to spur growth toward a goal of doubling GDP.
Politics

Kazakhstan aims for tricky economic reboot after cabinet shuffle

President Tokayev tasks new PM with spurring growth and trimming budget

10 February 2024
Wind turbines in Kazakhstan's Almaty region. Japan and five central Asian countries have inaugurated a new ministerial-level dialogue on decarbonization.
Climate Change

Japan launches new decarbonization dialogue with Central Asia

Tokyo aims to blunt Russian and Chinese influence in key region

27 September 2023
Russian service members drive armored vehicles before a military parade rehearsal in Moscow in April. 
Ukraine war

Russia, Central Asia locked in tug of war over Ukraine recruiting

From Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan, states clamp down on mercenary activity

29 August 2023
Participants celebrate a spring equinox festival in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The country is seeking to attract businesses leaving Russia. 
Ukraine war

Kazakhstan woos over 400 Western firms exiting Russia

Exodus by businesses lifts Central Asian economy

27 June 2023
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, right, met with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Russia's Victory Day in May. (Pool via Reuters)
Opinion

Kazakhstan's backdoor trade with Russia must be stopped

Time for sanctions over funneling of restricted goods to support war in Ukraine

15 June 2023
A voter casts her ballot during Kazakhstan's parliamentary election on March 19.
Politics

Kazakhstan's new parliament has old look after reset falls short

Election marred by uneven playing field, apathy and allegations of irregularities

25 March 2023
A man rides a horse past an election campaign board in Almaty, Kazakhstan on March 15.
Politics

Kazakhstan election offers rare opening for independent voices

Post-unrest reforms add meaning to Sunday's vote despite democratic shortcomings

18 March 2023
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev casts his ballot at a polling station in Astana on Nov. 20: The substance of the reforms is designed to dismantle the previous super-presidential system. (Handout photo from President Press Office)
Opinion

Kazakhstan is committed to political reform

Protests have spurred government to remove privileges and increase inclusion

21 November 2022
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is seeking a new mandate as he strives to distance himself from his one-time mentor, former President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Politics

'New Kazakhstan' set for election expected to be one-man show

Tokayev seeks stamp of legitimacy as experts warn 'protest mood' persists

19 November 2022
The symbiotic relationships between Central Asia's leaders and Vladimir Putin are rearranging themselves as the war in Ukraine weakens Russia.
Asia Insight

Central Asia looks beyond Russia's orbit to secure its future

Jittery over Ukraine war, Kazakhstan and neighbors seek alternative export routes

15 November 2022
Russian citizens converge on a public service center in Almaty to receive individual identification numbers on Sept. 28. 
Ukraine war

Russians fleeing draft strain Kazakhstan's services, diplomacy

President Tokayev calls for 'humanity, patience' ahead of awkward Putin visit

6 October 2022
Chinese President Xi Jinping is welcomed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev upon his arrival in Nur-Sultan on Sept. 14.
International relations

Xi vows to back Kazakh 'sovereignty' in Central Asia power play

Chinese leader's first post-COVID trip abroad seen as move to cement top-dog status

14 September 2022
Women in front of the Akorda, the official residence of Kazakhstan's president in Nur-Sultan: The government says the proposed constitutional reforms will water down presidential powers.
Politics

Kazakhstan set to vote on constitution reform in Putin-like process

Critics say proposed changes to 'super presidential' system are superficial

4 June 2022
Demonstrators take part in an anti-war rally in support of Ukraine in Almaty on Mar. 6: Kazakhstan has allowed large protests against the war.
Opinion

Western powers should exploit Central Asia's unease over Ukraine war

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have both distanced themselves from Moscow

6 April 2022
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivers a speech during a festival in Almaty on March 21.
Politics

Kazakhstan reforms meet skepticism in shadow of Russia's war

Amid 'cosmetic' changes, critics say Tokayev missing chance to break Kremlin's grip

30 March 2022
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russia's Vladimir Putin meet in Moscow on Feb. 10, two weeks before the invasion of Ukraine. 
International relations

Ukraine war casts Kazakhstan's reliance on Russia in harsher light

Tokayev struggles to avoid angering 'unpredictable' ally -- and his own people

6 March 2022
The delayed TAPI gas pipeline promises to link Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India, but security risks threaten this and other regional connectivity projects.
International relations

India's first Central Asia summit to focus on Afghan risks, trade

Shared security challenges loom over Thursday's talks and port, pipeline hopes

26 January 2022
A damaged portrait of former Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev is seen at the city hall in Almaty on Jan. 10, after the country's largest city was rocked by protests.
Politics

Kazakhstan drive to close book on Nazarbayev era gathers pace

President Tokayev sidelines predecessor but true reform remains elusive

23 January 2022
Russian soldiers fold the national flag during a ceremony marking the beginning of the CSTO withdrawal from Kazakhstan in Almaty on Jan. 13.
International relations

Russian-led CSTO's Kazakhstan mission leaves lingering bootprints

Analysts see short deployment putting Moscow's security stamp on Central Asia

15 January 2022