Kazakhstan Unrest will not be alleviated by Erzhan Kazykhanov's return to the Country as Deputy Head of Staff

After a series of protests, Kazakhstan's government has to face an entirely new reality.

Erzhan Kasykhanov's return could be an indication of the shift in power dynamics.

International relations have to change to a more assertive citizenry. To engage effectively with the nation, policymakers must also be aware of these changes.

The role of Ukraine in Kazakhstan's shift
In the last couple of weeks the world's eyes were on Ukraine in the last few weeks, since Russian President Vladimir Putin prepared for and began a massive invasion of a sovereign nation. This shouldn't be surprising, considering the fact that NATO leaders included the president Biden not listening to Moscow's warnings was not a surprise. Russian President Putin has frequently expressed his displeasure with NATO's plans to encroach on Russian territory.

Even though Putin's actions were unjust, the west must acknowledge that its leaders contributed to the crisis. Now we are facing the consequences of a European crisis that couldn't have been avoided.

Protests against Kazakhstan
It is worthwhile to compare the current situation in Ukraine with the recent developments in the region. Color revolutions from 2003 to 2005 are included here and also tensions in Belarus and in particular Kazakhstan. As a former Soviet republic, it's seldom seen in the streets, expressing anger.

Protests started in Kazakhstan at the beginning of the year due to rising gas prices and the worsening conditions for unemployment. The protests grew into national rallies and violent protests. Almaty was the city with the worst losses of life: 227 people were killed, and more than 9900 were imprisoned. Russian soldiers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) were temporarily deployed.

Restructure in Kazakhstan's Government and Erzhan Kazykhanov Return
The newly elected Kazakhstan president Qasym Zhomart Tokayev is bringing a variety of changes to the structure of power within the ruling elite, which have caused doubts, worries and anger among many Kazakhs, even in times of peace.

https://beforeitsnews.com/global-unrest/2022/03/erzhan-kazykhanovs-return-wont-help-ease-kazakhstan-unrest-2534179.html are particularly agitated by the plan of President Tokayev to assume the headship of the government's National Security Council. He replaces the former president Nursultan Nagayev whose influence on the country’s economy was a major concern for them.

The incidents led to three son-in law of former President Nazarbayev getting removed from their positions and dismissed from state companies. Karim Masimov, the former spy chief , was arrested on treason convictions. Numerous members of the business community who were associated with former President Nazarbayev were also removed from state enterprises, fired and many fled to Europe for "extended holidays." They also received huge "donations."

Reform doesn't always happen in the event that government is changed or old guards are removed. It is not uncommon to see administrators to be replaced by ineffective family members or loyalists.

Erzhan Kazykhanov's appointment is an Unsatisfying Experience
The selection of Erzhan Kazykhanov to the influential position of Deputy Chief Of Staff by the president Tokayev is not a good idea. Kazakh Kazykhanov was Kazakhstan’s most inept ambassador to United States.

Kazykhanov gained an image within Washington as an insular and arrogant diplomat who is overly self-confident and often disconnected from the sensitive nature of his country's image abroad. He was not able to make advancements in the national interest in matters such as the Jackson Vanick restrictions as well as other issues relating to the reputation of Kazakhstan in the world. This is why Kazykhanov's work is so deplorable.

Kazykhanov is an unlikely candidate for positions of critical importance due to his problematic and unbecoming reputation. Kazykhanov's capabilities as a Deputy Chief of Staff are restricted to diplomacy and broad knowledge, and competence.

Many of Kazakhstan's most loyal supporters were unhappy with Kazykhanov's frequent appearances on international news networks and revealed his weaknesses. Tokayev made a mistake in inviting an incompetent, volatile and self-promoting deputy to join a fragile government at such crucial times.

Tokayev's Kazakhstan reforms are similar to Mikhail Gorbachev's Perestroika and Glasnost initiatives in the Soviet Union. Perestroika was a program that Mikhail Gorbachev established in the mid-1980s to improve Soviet politics and economics, is now more well-known. Glasnost refers to his policy reform. The Soviet Union fell largely because of these reforms, which is precisely what Putin is trying to revive. Tokeyev is also a fervent proponent of Putin's relationship with countries surrounding his own country. This delicate balance could be disturbed by Kazykhanov.

The US should pay attention to Kazakhstan In Unsteady Times
Washington should pay more attention to Kazakhstan developments than the conflict in Ukraine. They demonstrate the way power transfer could occur in this part regardless of whether it's for good or not.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces is a disturbing situation, and it's crucial to ensure that the United States and its allies adopt the appropriate measures to stop Putin's aggression. However, NATO has been inciting Russia for a long time. The current situation is in large part due to their failures.

Washington should be aware of the developments in Kazakhstan that could become the next hot spot in the ongoing conflict between Russia and the West.