Kazakhstan Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Political Reform in Kazakhstan: Why It’s Seen as “Political Transit,” Who Drives It, and What Comes Next

Kazakhstan’s political reforms since 2022 are widely described as “political transit” because they are not merely technical adjustments to election law or institutions—they represent a managed transition of the post-Nazarbayev order into a new…

January 21, 2026Kazakhstan

Corruption Geopolitics

Kazakhstan’s Expanding Role in Russia’s Sanctions-Evasion Architecture

Following Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine and the subsequent imposition of Western sanctions, Kazakhstan has emerged as one of the central channels enabling Moscow to access “sanctions-sensitive” goods. Trade flows…

December 1, 2025Kazakhstan, Russia, Sanctions

Corruption Economy Geoeconomics Geopolitics

Orban’s Gas Noose for Europe

As the European Union strives to end its dependence on Russian gas, Prime Minister Viktor Orban is not only preserving Hungary’s energy ties with the Kremlin but forging new partnerships…

August 18, 2025Hungary, Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan

ecology Geoeconomics Geopolitics National Security

Hungary’s Sanctions Evasion Nexus: Economic Ties with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as a Backdoor for Russia

Hungary’s economic engagement with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan appears smooth on the surface, but it plays a deeper role in enabling Russia to circumvent Western sanctions. Both Central Asian nations formally condemned…

June 6, 2025EU, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

Geoeconomics Geopolitics National Security

How Hungary’s Outreach to Central Asia Risks Undermining EU Sanctions on Russia

In its ongoing effort to choke off the Kremlin’s war machine, the European Union has levied unprecedented sanctions on Russia. But far from Brussels, a new triangle is quietly forming on…

June 5, 2025Hungary, Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan

Energy Geoeconomics

Kazakhstan’s Pivot to China for Nuclear Power: Strategic Choice and Geopolitical Signal

Kazakhstan's decision in 2025 to select a Chinese company over Russia's Rosatom to build its first nuclear power plant marks a pivotal moment in Central Asian energy geopolitics. This move carries…

May 30, 2025China, Kazakhstan, Russia

Energy Propaganda and Disinformation

Russia’s Propaganda Spin: How the Kremlin Uses the CPC Attack to Undermine Ukraine and the West

Russian Propaganda Links Drone Strike to U.S.-Ukraine Relations Russian propaganda is spreading narratives that accuse Ukraine of carrying out terrorist attacks on foreign-owned infrastructure. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak…

February 19, 2025Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine

Propaganda and Disinformation Psyops

Hybrid Operations and Regional Ambitions: Russia’s Potential Military Strategy in Kazakhstan

It can be stated with high probability that the Kremlin is discussing the possibility of conducting another military operation in Kazakhstan. This is indicated by a statement from Margarita Simonyan,…

December 30, 2024Kazakhstan, Russia

Geoeconomics

Kazakhstan’s Uranium Deal with China: Strategic Gains and Hidden Risks

Russia's economy has been significantly impacted by sanctions, with consequences expected to linger for several years. The country continues to rely heavily on its energy resources, the backbone of its…

December 26, 2024China, Kazakhstan, Russia

Coup Intelligence ops

Russia will compensate for damage from inaction in Karabakh by toppling Pashinyan in Armenia within next three days

The developments in Karabakh will lead to the overthrow of the Pashinyan government in Armenia and the establishment of a pro-Moscow regime in Armenia. According to our data, Russia was…

September 22, 2023Armenia, China, Georgia, Karabakh, Kazakhstan, Russia

Kazakhstan