21–30 of 72 posts
As someone actually living in Kazakhstan, I would not take any words of the current government too seriously.
When providing such strong contrarian opinion, it is customary, or even expected to provide some sort of backing rationale ...
Step 1: Break ties with Russia. Until then, everything is double-speak
Easier said than done in the case of Kazakhstan, a country literally stuck between a very sharp rock (Russia) and a very hard place (China).
Also, re: doublespeak, in times of war ... it is a well known historical fact that both sides are deeply guilty of this specific sin (in times of war, the first victim is truth as the saying goes), so I'm not sure how what you're asking for is even possible.
Step 1: Break ties with Russia. Until then, everything is double-speak
they are kind of 'Surrounded' by Russia and China, there is no other route from Kazahstan to the rest of the world Look at the map, the only other border they have is with a litany of failed states with zero infrastructure or freedom.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
they are kind of 'Surrounded' by Russia and China, there is no other route from Kazahstan to the rest of the world Look at the map, the only other border they have is with a litany of failed states with zero infrastructure or freedom.
Russia has infrastructure and freedom?
For anyone unaware, earlier this year, Kazakhstan faced protests over gas prices (it was a tipping point, there's a lot of wealth inequality) and this president requested the help of Russian security forces to enter the country and help quell riots, and they ended up killing rioters [1]. Most of my Kazakh friends were rooting for the rioters, wanting a more free Kazakhstan, while one friend close to the government wa…
Things aren't actually as clear-cut as you say. While protests started out peacefully things quickly escalated into violence, especially in Almaty. Most notably, armed bandits captured the city's airport, burned most of the government buildings, tried to assault multiple law enforcement agency offices, tried to go live on multiple TV channels, robbed ATMs, etc. The government has promised a large-scale investigation…
Kazakhstan, paradoxically, as it stands today is the most successful and prosperous country of ex-USSR. Baltic states have larger GDP/person but also a slew of other issues. I'd try to not ruin that when taking any reforms into account.
As someone actually living in Kazakhstan, I would not take any words of the current government too seriously.
What have you personally seen or perceived, if you're able to discuss in detail?
And, if you didn't know - the first thing Tokayev did in 2019 when Nazarbayev (the first president who ruled almost 30 years) handed the rein to him - is that he proposed to rename the Kazakhstani capital, Astana, to Nur-Sultan (Nazarbayev's first name). And of course, the Parliament unanimously supported the idea. Not a single member objected.
Few months ago it was "proposed" by someone from the Parliament (of course, not as an own initiative, hence quotes) to rename the capital back to Astana, and Tokayev supported. The parliament voted unanimously. Not a single member objected.
I do agree that things seem better in Kazakshtan now than they were even a decade ago, or even than they are now in most other post-Soviet countries. But it's still way too far...
[1] https://www.occrp.org/en/suisse-secrets/the-offshore-secrets...
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Things aren't actually as clear-cut as you say. While protests started out peacefully things quickly escalated into violence, especially in Almaty. Most notably, armed bandits captured the city's airport, burned most of the government buildings, tried to assault multiple law enforcement agency offices, tried to go live on multiple TV channels, robbed ATMs, etc. The government has promised a large-scale investigation…
Quoted post unavailable.
edit: in case someone is not yet convinced: https://www-rbc-ru.translate.goog/politics/06/01/2022/61d6b3...