Kazakhstan Unrest won’t be lessened by Erzhan Kazakhstanykhanov’s return the Country As Deputy Chief of Staff
After a series of protests, Kazakhstan’s government has to face a new reality.
Erzhan Kasykhanov’s return is an indication of the changing power dynamics.
The international community must change to accommodate a more assertive citizenry. These developments must be reflected in policymakers’ plans to communicate with the country.
Ukraine’s Role During Kazakhstan’s Change
The last few weeks have been dominated by focus to Ukraine. This is due to the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin was preparing for and planning a major invasion against sovereign nations. This shouldn’t come as a surprise given that NATO leaders, including President Biden did not heed the warnings from Moscow. Russian President Putin has repeatedly declared his opposition to NATO’s plan to encroach on Russian territory.
Although Putin’s actions are unacceptable Leaders from the West must admit that they contributed to the current crisis. https://beforeitsnews.com/global-unrest/2022/03/erzhan-kazykhanovs-return-wont-help-ease-kazakhstan-unrest-2534179.html facing the aftermath of the European crisis which could have been prevented, it is fair.
Protests in Kazakhstan
An analysis should be conducted between the situation in Ukraine and the recent events in the region. The following article contains information on the color revolutions and unrest within Belarus, Kazakhstan, and elsewhere in Central Asia. This former Soviet nation is located in central Asia so it doesn’t often see street demonstrations openly protesting against its government.
Protests over rising prices of gas and unemployment began in Kazakhstan at the beginning of the year. These protests led to violent riots and a series of nationwide protests. Almaty was the most affected by the violence, with 227 people killed and over 9900 being arrested. Russian troops of the Collective Security Treaty Organization were temporarily deployed.
Restructure in Kazakhstan’s Government and Erzhan Kazykhanov ‘s Return
Qasym Zhomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan’s new president, has made many changes within the power structure, which have raised concerns and discontent among many Kazakhs even during times of peace.
The protesters were particularly upset over the fact that President Tokayev has taken over the office of head the country’s National Security Council. It replaced former President Nursultan Nasarbayev whose influence was a source of concern to them.
These events led to three son-in law of the former president getting exiled from state enterprises. Karim Masimov, the former spy chief , was taken into custody on treason charges. Numerous members of the business community associated with the former president Nazarbayev were also exiled from state companies, fired and many fled to Europe for “extended vacations.” They also received huge “donations.”
It’s not always the case that reform happens in the event that government is changed or old guards are removed. It is not uncommon to see administration’s members to be replaced by equally ineffective family members or loyalists.
Erzhan Kasykhanov’s Appointment Disappointment
Erzhan Kasykhanov’s appointment to the President’s highly influential post as Deputy Chief of Staff was not productive. Kazakh Kazykhanov the Kazakhstan’s most ineffective ambassador abroad to the United States, was Kazakh Kazykhanov.
Kazykhanov earned an image in Washington as an insular and arrogant diplomat who is confident and disconnected from the delicate nature of Kazakhstan’s image outside the country. Kazykhanov was also unsuccessful in his attempts to make improvements on important national issues, including the Jackson-Vanick restriction and other issues that affect Kazakhstan’s image around the world.
Kazykhanov, with his problematic and unspeakable reputation, isn’t likely to be considered for crucial positions. Kazykhanov does not possess the required skills to be a Chief of Staff.
Even Kazakhstan’s most ardent supporters are not happy with Kazykhanov’s frequent appearance on important international news channels, revealing his weaknesses. Tokayev made a mistake in hiring a volatile, incompetent and self-promoting deputy into the fragile government at such critical moments.
Tokayev’s Kazakhstan reforms are reminiscent of Mikhail Gorbachev’s Perestroika and the Glasnost initiative within the Soviet Union. Perestroika was the name given to Mikhail Gorbachev’s mid-1980s reform program to improve Soviet economy and politics. https://econotimes.com/Why-should-Erzhan-Kazykhanovs-policy-concern-the-US-1629870 is the name for the policy reforms he implemented. The Soviet Union fell largely because of these reforms, and that is exactly the kind of thing Putin is seeking to bring back. Tokeyev has also developed trade relations with countries around his own as well as with the West, and he has taken care not to offend Putin, but rather to keep his unwavering support. This delicate balance might be shattered by Kazykhanov.
In Unsteady Times, The USA Should Be Watchful of Kazakhstan
Washington should pay more attention to Kazakhstan events , rather than the conflict in Ukraine. They show how a power transfer can be triggered in this region and whether or not it’s good or not.
The Russian invasion invading Ukraine is a worrying trend. It is imperative that the United States (and its allies) adopt the necessary steps to combat Putin’s aggression. We must not forget that NATO has been prodding Russia for many years and this current crisis is a direct result of their failures.
Washington must pay close attention to events in Kazakhstan as it could be the next point of friction in the war between Russia and the West.