As in Europe, scepticism towards regional integration is on the rise in Kazakhstan. And just like the Old Continent, Astana is learning to play this to its advantage...
Victory Day on May 9 was an occasion for Russians to indulge in patriotic flag waving in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin used the previous day to muster a show of diplomatic support for his efforts to bring formerly Soviet states closer together.
After a lapse of more than a century, the Great Game has begun again — in Kiev of all places. In the 19th century, the Great Game was the rivalry between the British and Russian empires for Central Asia. England was wary that Russia's relentless expansion would one day threaten the jewel in the imperial crown, India. Both sides vied to dominate Central Asia's markets.
American citizen Alexander Narodetsky was questioned by Maltese police. A journalist and former director of Radio Free Europe in Kiev was arrested in connection with criminal investigations that have led to the freezing of assets of Kazakh exile and multi-millionaire Rakhat Aliyev.
A Manhattan judge ordered the president of Kazakhstan's brother to provide assurances that his ex-wife will not be re-arrested when she flies home after finalizing a lopsided settlement agreement.
Family friend of former son-in-law of Kazakh dictator says Aliyev is no longer on the island. Questioned about the whereabouts of the former deputy head of the Kazakh secret service Rakhat Aliyev, international journalist Alexander Narodetsky told investigators that it is so obvious that neither Aliyev nor his wife were in Malta, that "even little kids knew it".
It is very much likely that the deputy head of the Kazakh secret service Rakhat Aliyev left Malta on a private plane, Inspector Raymond Aquilina told the Court of Magistrates.
