All Kazakhstan, All the Time

1. US/NATO-Kazakhstan Cooperation: NATO's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Robert Simmons recently visited Kazakhstan to discuss the ‘Line Communication‘ project. The project involves the railway transit of non-lethal goods through the territories of Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan to Afghanistan by NATO forces. Simmons has reported that Russia and NATO exchanged letters that allow transit through Russian territory (as has been discussed on this page) and stated that he received a ‘positive response’ from the Astana's government regarding their cooperation in the project. Simmons also stated that he was next off to Uzbekistan to cement their cooperation in the project.

In addition, the United States and Kazakhstan opened what is called ‘second-track diplomacy‘ in Wash. DC on April 9. This includes a ‘dialogue’ featuring Kazakhstan's Institute of World Economics and Politics and the US's Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The meeting involved members from each government as well as academic scholars.

2. President Karimov visits Astana- Uzbekistan's president follows Kyrgyzstan's head of state to Astana in what one analyst calls the beginning of a ‘new political axis’ in Central Asia. An exact agenda is not known, but energy issues, food prices, and Central Asian regional integration will no doubt be discussed. The Turkish Weekly doubts that much progress will be made regarding regional integration. This is in contrast to Astana-Bishkek's recent discussions supporting a CA union. Quoting Karimov; “Seeking cheap popularity, some colleagues of mine make high-flown speeches on cooperation and come up with all sorts of slogans. Unfortunately, nothing at all is being done in practice.” Alas, he is for the most part right.

3. Lastly, here is a quick analysis of Kazakhstan's leading role in the region, pertinent domestic issues, and its ‘free agent’ status in regards to the world's great powers.

Have a great weekend!

(Picture Source: CIA World Factbook)