Events and opinions

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Spelling Mistakes Nix Kazakh Candidacy

A Kazakh presidential hopeful has been disqualified from running in the April election because he made too many spelling mistakes in a language test, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

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Kazakhstan: What is Nazarbayev’s Motive for Early Vote?

nan3The date for Kazakhstan's snap presidential election has been set for April 3 after amendments to the constitution and electoral law were rushed through parliament.

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Central Asia: Decay and Decline

Only a concerted effort from national governments, donors and the international community to modernise Central Asia's infrastructure can avert the region's decline into chaos.

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Kazakhstan seeks Ablyazov’s extradition from the UK

Kazakhstan's Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) said last week it had requested the extradition of fugitive banker Mukhtar Ablyazov from the UK.

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U.S. praises Kazakh leader for skipping referendum

The United States on Tuesday welcomed Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev's decision to scrap a referendum which would have handed him a third decade in power by skipping elections.

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Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum: Western Questions, Kazakh Answers

nan_nimbWeighing the option to prolong President Nursultan Nazarbayev's term to 2020 by referendum, Kazakhstan's governing elite has engaged in an unprecedented open debate.

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Washington Presses Astana on Bid to Extend President’s Rule – But Is Anyone Listening?

The United States has again pressed Kazakhstan over a bid to dispense with presidential elections for the next decade – but are its words falling on deaf ears?

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Kazakh leader says ready to stay in power

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Friday said he was ready to work for as long as required as his country is expected to hold a referendum on whether to extend his term until 2020.

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Egyptian Activists' Action Plan: Translated

Egyptian activists have been circulating a kind of primer to Friday's planned protest. We were sent the plan by two separate sources and have decided to publish excerpts here, with translations into English. Over Twitter, we connected with a translator, who translated the document with exceptional speed.

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Taking a Stand in Kazakstan

sanat_urnaliev_demoJournalist who led demo against referendum allowing president to avoid elections says even small-scale protest has symbolic value.

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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