Notes

Erzhan Kazykhanov's Return Will Not Ease Kazakhstan Unrest
Kazakhstan Unrest will not be alleviated by Erzhan Kazykhanov's Return to the Country as Deputy Head of Staff

Following a string of protests, the government of Kazakhstan now faces an entirely new reality.

Erzhan Kazakhstanykhanov's Return demonstrates the power dynamics that have changed.

International relations have to change to a more assertive citizenry. Furthermore, policymakers must to be aware of these developments and devise effective methods to engage with the country.

Ukraine's role in Kazakhstan's shift
The past few weeks have seen everyone's attention turn to Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin planned and launched an en masse invasion of an independent nation. Given how NATO leaders including President Biden did not heed the warnings coming from Moscow it was not a surprise. Russian President Putin has repeatedly protested NATO's plan to overrun Russian territory.

Although the actions of Putin are unacceptably, leaders from the West have to acknowledge that they played a role in the current crisis. It is fair to say, that we are now suffering the effects of an European crisis that could have been avoided.

Protests in Kazakhstan
It is important to draw comparisons between Ukraine and the latest developments within the region. This includes the 2003 and 2005 color revolutions, as well as the current tensions in Belarus (and specifically Kazakhstan). As a former Soviet country located in central Asia, it rarely sees street protests that openly express its discontent.

Protests against rising prices for gas and the lack of employment began in Kazakhstan at the beginning of this year. The protests escalated into massive demonstrations, which culminated in violent riots. Almaty witnessed the biggest losses in life, with 227 people dead and over 9900 in detention. Russian troops from Collective Security Treaty Organization CSTO were temporarily deployed.

Restructuring in Kazakhstan's Government as well as Erzhan Kazykhanov's Return
Qasym Zhomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan's new president, has introduced a number of changes to the power structure. These changes have raised concerns and discontent in the majority of Kazakhs even in times of peace.

Protesters are particularly upset by President Tokayev's plans to take over as head of the government’s National Security Council. He replaces the former president Nursultan Nagayev, whose influence on the economy of the country was a concern for them.

The incident resulted in three sons-in-law of the former president being removed from state companies. His nephew was also fired. Karim Masimov (the former spy chief) was arrested on charges of Treason. The officials involved were not the only ones to lose their jobs. A lot of members of the elite business class that was associated with former President Nazarbayev moved to other countries for extended holidays or received large "donations."

Change in government and the demise of old guards does not always result in change. It is typical for those of the earlier administrations to be replaced equally ineffectively by loyalists or family members.

Erzhan Kykhanov's Application an Open
Erzhan Kazykhanov's elevation to President Tokayev's highly influential position of the Deputy Chief of Staff is unproductive. Kazakh Kazykhanov was Kazakhstan’s most inept ambassador to United States.

In Washington, Kazykhanov was a solo, arrogant diplomat who was confident, and occasionally not in touch with the delicate character of Kazakhstan's image abroad. He was not able to make improvements in national interests like the Jackson Vanick restrictions and other issues that affect the image of Kazakhstan abroad. This is the reason Kazykhanov's work is so deplorable.

Kazykhanov who has a tangled and unforgiving reputation, isn't likely to be considered for crucial positions. Kazykhanov is not equipped to be an assistant chief of staff.

Many of Kazakhstan's most loyal supporters weren't happy with Kazykhanov's frequent appearances in international news channels, which revealed his weaknesses. Tokayev's decision to not allow an unpopular self-promoting, incompetent deputy into a fragile state at this crucial moment is absurd.

Tokayev's Kazakhstan reforms are reminiscent of Mikhail Gorbachev's Perestroika and Glasnost initiatives in the Soviet Union. Perestroika is often referred to as Mikhail Gorbachev's mid-1980s program to overhaul Soviet political and economic systems. Glasnost was a reference to his policy reform. The Soviet Union fell largely because of these reforms, and that is precisely the kind of thing Putin is trying to revive. Tokeyev also has developed economic relations both with his own country and the West. Tokeyev has tried to not offend Putin and to retain his supporters. This delicate balance may be disturbed by Kazykhanov.

As Unsteady Times Abound, the USA should pay particular attention to Kazakhstan
In the midst of the conflict in Ukraine, Washington should be aware of the events in Kazakhstan because they are a glimpse of how a power succession could play out in this region of the globe - for better or worse.

This is an alarming trend that is alarming. It's crucial that the United States, along with its allies, take the essential steps to stop Putin's aggression. But, it's important to remember that NATO has been provoking Russia for many years and the current crisis is in part a result of their own incompetence.

Washington must pay close attention to the developments in Kazakhstan that could become the next point of friction in the conflict between Russia and the West.
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