Oil is the Wealth of the Nation

by Michael Hancock-Parmer
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The events in Kazakhstan on its Day of Independence have made headlines around the world, but the motivations and consequences of the events continue to evade observers inside and outside the country. Several videos capturing both the violence and the shocked onlookers’ comments have surfaced on Radio Free Europe /Radio Liberty and their affiliate Radio Azattyq. [...]

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New Elections in Kazakhstan, Readysetgo!

by Michael Hancock-Parmer

Not that long ago, it seemed possible (if not likely) that Nazarbaev would be President of Kazakhstan without election until 2020.  One group claimed they had collected over 4 million signatures, with the signers pleading that the President take the reigns through the next decade.  This group was part of a wave of popular support [...]

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Kazakhstan, Beacon of Anticorruption Activity?

by Alexander_Visotzky

To preface this entry I should say that I’m not really in a position to be objective on this issue, but I’ll attack it nonetheless:  When your girlfriend or wife asks you if she looks fat or ugly, you tell her no, even if she does look fat or ugly. Sometimes a little lie doesn’t [...]

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The Arrival of Kazakhbashi?

by Alexander_Visotzky

October 20th witnessed the unveiling of another bizarre monument in Astana. Not far from the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, lies Kazakh Eli Square, where the Kazakh authorities uncovered a 15-foot high bronze statue of none other than Nursultan Nazarbayev. The statue, accompanied by other traditional Kazakh scenes, lies at the base of a rather [...]

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