While the USA press has been discussing the potential for trouble in Ukraine, it seems to have missed much of what’s actually going on this month in Kazakhstan following protests over natural gas price hikes. A lot of people have died & disappeared.
This is the best explainer at a macro level I can track down.
After protests began organically, the oligarchy called in outside help. They are part of a regional alliance the #csto which naturally includes their neighbors to the north. Like NATO for the “stans”.
So military resources were sent. They did their job and stabilized things.
The northern neighbors are interested in the extractive resources to be found in Kazakhstan, namely oil and uranium. Also, access to a captive market for exports.
So that’s pretty much a done deal.
Only…
Mad dog Englishman also reports in. Perhaps he’ll stay safe, trading on his rapscallion reputation.
For the locals, though, things have not turned out well.
Here’s one of the missing.
Many more are dead, injured, and arrested.
It’s a pretty dreadful outcome for so many millions. 🥺
Death toll up to 225. No word on what’s going on with the 12,000 arrested for political protest, though.
Does seem. Nazarbeyev is being shown the door. Along with a few others.
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