Kazakhstan

Due to global turmoil, the importance of the Middle Corridor has grown exponentially. However, the Caspian Sea continues to pose a significant obstacle to the realization of the corridor’s economic potential.

While over 30 security and law enforcement officials have been convicted for abuse during Bloody January, the number remains low compared to the scale of violations.

The septuagenarian space port proves as reliable as ever, but geopolitics and funding mean that its future at the forefront of space exploration is far from guaranteed.

A planned oil pipeline could gain momentum given the uncertainty around routes through Russia.

Erbayan Mukhtar suffered a severe head injury during military service, sparking concerns about soldier safety and allegations of hazing in Kazakhstan's armed forces. 

Kazakhstan once harbored grand plans for a high-speed rail network. While its neighbors have pushed ahead with such projects, why has HSR fallen out of favor in Astana?

Although branded as commercial deals, most of the agreements involve a steel and mining company recently acquired and renamed by a state-owned private equity firm in the wake of a tragic mining accident.

Since 2021, 30 judges have been held accountable for corruption, resulting in 15 prison sentences, which notably is more than in the previous eight years combined.

Despite Kazakhstan’s efforts to reschedule the Kashagan maintenance, the drop in production conveniently forces Astana to meet commitments it has made to OPEC+ to reduce oil production. 

State-owned and private construction companies make plenty of money in the process of completing housing developments. It’s the buyers who lose out.

Around 200 nuclear power plants are currently operating in 30 countries around the world. Kazakhstan may well be on its way to joining that list.