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Kazakhstan’s Parliament May Expand Presidential Powers

nan_tronKazakhstan's parliament is mulling legislative changes that would bestow vast, new powers on the incumbent president, Nursultan Nazarbayev. In addition to granting Nazarbayev the title of "leader of the nation," he would gain the right to intervene in politics after he officially retired from the presidency and would enjoy enhanced immunity from prosecution.

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Moody’s downgrades five Kazakh financial institutions

Moody's Investors Service has concluded its review for possible downgrade of six Kazakh financial institutions with the downgrade of the ratings of five financial institutions.

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Kazakh Lawmakers Want President Named 'Leader Of The Nation'

nan_mediaThe proposal protects Nazarbaev from any prosecution for criminal wrongdoing

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Kyrgyzstan investigates U.S. air base fuel supplies

kirg_vrem_pravKyrgyzstan's interim government said Tuesday it had launched a criminal inquiry into firms supplying fuel to the U.S. air base in the Central Asian nation, which prosecutors say belong to the family of its ousted leader.

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Kyrgyzstan orders ousted leader's extradition

bakiev_rukiBakiyev said Russia is anger over his decision to keep open U.S. air base

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Key political risks to watch in Kazakhstan

Nazarbayev has not identified any potential successors and this issue is the biggest long-term risk

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KAZAKHSTAN: ASTANA FOLLOWS THORNY PATH TOWARD NATIONAL UNITY

When President Nursultan Nazarbayev proposed drawing up a doctrine to promote national unity, he probably did not expect that he would lift the lid on inter-ethnic tension in Kazakhstan. But that is exactly what happened.

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KAZAKHSTAN: ACTIVISTS HIJACK SHOWCASE MEDIA FORUM, COMPLAIN ABOUT FREE SPEECH RESTRICTIONS

As Kazakhstan's annual Eurasian Media Forum opened in Almaty on April 27, officials seemed keen to showcase the Central Asian nation's qualifications for chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). But civil society activists ended up seizing on the occasion to publicize alleged violations of free speech.

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CARDIN, HASTINGS DISMAYED OVER KAZAKHSTANI SUPREME COURT REFUSAL TO REVIEW ZHOVTIS CASE

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and Co-Chairman Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) today expressed their shock and dismay that Kazakhstan's Supreme Court has declined to reconsider last year's verdict against human rights activist Yevgeny Zhovtis.

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ING to advise on Kazakhstan Caspian transportation System

(SRI) - ING will advise KazMunaiGas (KMG) on the Kazakhstan Caspian Transportation System (KCTS), an oil transportation project between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, according to industry sources.

How a Chinese company exports the Great Firewall to autocratic regimes

How a Chinese company exports the Great Firewall to autocratic regimes

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Kazakhstan diverting crude to Russia’s CPC as Azerbaijan deals with tainted oil

Kazakhstan diverting crude to Russia’s CPC as Azerbaijan deals with tainted oil

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The future of US and Japanese engagement with Central Asia

The future of US and Japanese engagement with Central Asia

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