Discussions of the military aspect of Kazakhstan's "multi-vector diplomacy" usually conclude that, whatever happens with oil and gas and other trade, the country's armed forces are likely to remain oriented toward Russia. That's because language limitations mean Kazakh officers who train abroad are most likely to do so in Russia, and of course because the military's legacy equipment and doctrine is Russian.
The jailing in Kazakhstan of an opposition leader on charges of holding an unsanctioned rally is stoking fresh concerns over the fairness of the judicial system in the country currently chairing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
ALMATY (Reuters) - A U.S. media group has criticized Kazakhstan for effectively banning an opposition newspaper, saying the move violated the core values of Europe's main democracy watchdog, chaired by Kazakhstan this year.
This year, Kazakhstan has become the first former Soviet state to assume the rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Turkmenistan to dismantle monument topped with golden statue of late, eccentric dictator
On Jan. 1, Kazakhstan became the first former Soviet republic to take over chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Almaty. January 14. Interfax-Kazakhstan – Kazakh opposition party Azat (Freedom) requested the OSCE member-states to discuss with Astana the issue of putting opposition representatives on the list of Astana official delegation in the Organization.
VIENNA, Jan 14 (Reuters) - New OSCE head Kazakhstan said on Thursday it would refocus Europe's main security and rights watchdog on tackling terrorism and development issues and brushed off criticism of its own record on rights and democracy.
No country in the Caucasus or Central Asia saw its ranking rise in this year's Freedom in the World report, released January 12 by the democratization organization Freedom House.
ASTANA -- The Kazakh Interior Ministry says Kyrgyz citizens were involved in the recent murder of a Kyrgyz journalist in Almaty, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.
