Joanna Lillis provides an in-depth look at Kazakhstan, highlighting its strategic position in Central Asia, its complex history, and its development into a monocracy under former President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The book covers events including Nazarbayev's fall from power, the Chinese government's actions against Kazakhs in Xinjiang, and the January 2022 events in Almaty.

As Russia's influence in Central Asia wanes due to its ongoing war in Ukraine, the European Union is actively seeking to strengthen ties with the region. EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to promote new trade routes and alliances, emphasizing the benefits of reduced dependency on Russia. The EU has committed significant funding to develop the 'Middle Corridor' transport route, bypassing Russia. Meanwhile, Russia has expressed dissatisfaction with Central Asia's growing cooperation with the West, highlighting its diminishing prestige in the region. The EU's efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity and economic partnerships with Central Asia.

Western Kazakhstan aims to become a leading global exporter of clean energy through a $50bn deal with Svevind to build one of the world's largest green hydrogen production facilities. The Hyrasia One project will use renewable energy to produce hydrogen, targeting production by 2030. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and support emerging hydrogen markets in Europe, Kazakhstan, and Asia. Despite logistical challenges, the project is seen as a significant step towards sustainable energy, with competitive production costs and favorable natural resources in the Mangystau region.

Western Kazakhstan aims to become a leading global exporter of clean energy through a $50bn deal with Svevind to build one of the world's largest green hydrogen production facilities. The Hyrasia One project will use renewable energy to produce hydrogen, targeting production by 2030. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and support emerging hydrogen markets in Europe and Asia. Despite logistical challenges, the region's favorable conditions and existing expertise in energy exports are seen as advantages. The EU's demand for green hydrogen, driven by a shift away from Russian gas, presents a significant market opportunity.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed strong support for Kazakhstan's territorial integrity during his visit to Central Asia, signaling a warning to Russia against interference. This visit precedes a crucial meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Xi's statements underscore China's intent to assert its interests in Central Asia amidst the ongoing geopolitical tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The article highlights the strategic importance of Kazakhstan to both China and Russia, and the delicate balance of power in the region.

The economic downturn in Russia due to sanctions and the war in Ukraine is causing a significant drop in remittances sent home by Central Asian labour migrants, impacting households in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. As Russia becomes less attractive for these migrants, the UK is emerging as an alternative destination, particularly for agricultural work. The UK has started recruiting workers from Central Asia to fill Brexit-related labour shortages, with high demand for these positions. The World Bank predicts a substantial decline in remittances to Central Asia this year, highlighting the risks of economic dependence on migrant cash flows. The UN has urged Kyrgyzstan to reduce its reliance on remittances to avoid long-term economic harm.

Uzbekistan's nuclear power project with Russia, initiated four years ago to address energy shortages, faces uncertainty due to international sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Despite the sanctions not directly targeting Rosatom, the Russian state-owned company responsible for the project, the broader sanctions regime could still impact the project's viability. While Rosatom remains optimistic, experts warn of significant risks, including potential delays and financial complications. Abandoning the project could also strain Uzbekistan's relations with Russia and delay the country's energy goals.

Kazakhstan is preparing for snap presidential and parliamentary elections, with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expected to win easily. Despite promises of political reform, the political landscape remains dominated by the ruling Amanat party and government-loyal parties. Analysts are skeptical about the potential for genuine democratization, citing Tokayev's moves to consolidate power and prevent opposition organization. The article discusses the impact of past authoritarian rule under Nursultan Nazarbayev and the challenges Tokayev faces in implementing meaningful reforms. The geopolitical context, including Russia's war in Ukraine, also influences the timing and nature of these elections.

The economic downturn in Russia due to sanctions and the war in Ukraine is causing a significant drop in remittances sent by Central Asian labor migrants, impacting households in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. As a result, the UK is emerging as a new destination for these migrants, filling labor shortages in agriculture caused by Brexit. The UK’s recruitment program is particularly attractive to Uzbekistan, which aims to diversify its labor migration destinations. The World Bank predicts substantial declines in remittances to Central Asia, highlighting the risks of economic dependence on migrant cash flows.

Kazakhstan's state-owned nuclear company Kazatomprom has delivered a batch of uranium to Canada via the Middle Corridor, a transport route increasingly used to bypass Russia due to international sanctions. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) facilitates this route, which has seen a significant increase in freight traffic following sanctions against Russia. Despite the route's growing importance, it faces bottlenecks due to limited infrastructure capacity in countries like Azerbaijan and Georgia. Kazatomprom continues to monitor the impact of sanctions on its operations, while also planning to export oil through the Middle Corridor.