The West should not write the ’Stans off. They are a source of commodities and occupy a strategic spot, between Russia and China
When gripes about rising fuel prices escalated into broader protests against a corrupt autocracy, and then erupted into mob attacks on government buildings, the authorities violently suppressed the unrest. They not only ordered the security services to shoot rioters without warning, but also turned to Russia, allowing Mr Putin to send in a squad of paratroopers to help restore order.
By the same token, although Mr Putin is doubtless flattered to be asked to pose as kingmaker, Kazakhstan and indeed all of Central Asia are much more likely to be a source of problems for him than of prestige. For one thing, there had been speculation that he might eventually try to emulate Mr Nazarbayev and craft a form of retirement that would protect his interests and those of his cronies. Mr Nazarbayev’s troubles suggest that will be hard.
For all their considerable differences, the five Central Asian countries depend on exports of commodities and labourers, with the wild economic swings and entrenched corruption that these things so often bring. All are plagued by mafias of one sort or another. And all are run by authoritarian regimes of widely varying degrees of. The tarnished transition from Mr Nazarbayev to Mr Tokayev is about as close as the region has come to a peaceful handover of power.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia warns of 'military means' if Ukraine demands not met by WestMeeting senior Kremlin envoys at NATO HQ in Brussels, Western ambassadors unanimously rejected Moscow's demands for a guarantee that Ukraine will never be admitted to the group.
Read more »
Russia says talks with Nato have hit 'dead end', heightening fears of Ukraine invasionRussia has said talks with Nato on the Ukraine crisis had reached a “dead end”, escalating fears of an imminent invasion
Read more »
Kazakhstan’s bloody turbulence will affect all of Central AsiaSeeing the violence in Kazakhstan, neighbouring regimes may conclude that the risks of the state relaxing its grip are too great
Read more »
Charles & Wills urged Queen to strip Andrew of titles in 'hour-long summit'CHARLES and William urged the Queen to strip Prince Andrew of his royal patronages and military titles during an hour-long summit at Windsor. The disgraced Duke, 61, facing a possible sex-case tria…
Read more »