https://iwpr.net/global-voices/political-unrest-sweeps-kazakstan
This article reports on the recent protest in Kazakhstan in response to a Russian peacekeeping force occupying Kazakhstan’s former capital. The peacekeeping force was brought in due to rising tensions between the government and the people over a recent oil price decision. In this decision, the price of oil rose exponentially doubling in under 24 hours. This was to change the status quo where producers would ship oil internationally because it was more profitable leading to regular shortages. The protesters had gathered in Almaty the former capital of Kazakhstan however these protests quickly turned to riots with protesters throwing Molotov cocktails into buildings. Thus leading to Kazakhstan requesting a peacekeeping force from Russia. Along with the peacekeeping force, Kazakhstan officials have closed the borders and cut off their citizens from the internet until the “crisis” has passed. While under 20 people have died so far there have been over 2,300 arrests made and hundreds of people injured from the conflict. The protesters claim that the government has allowed an artificial monopoly to exist and raise the oil price. The protesters also are disputing the distribution of oil, claiming that more should stay in Kazakhstan in order to stabilize the price of oil. Russian involvement in this issue could lead to further unrest within Kazakhstan with many citizens already suspect of president Tokayev and his ties to Russia. This unrest with Russian interference is mirrored in some other countries within neighboring regions such as Ukraine. Kazakhstan has historically provided a soft border between Russia and China and without major affiliations to international actors such as NATO. However, Russia’s continued involvement and military presence within Kazakhstan borders could lead to a response from the Chinese military and potentially a proxy war between the pro-Russian Kazakhstan government and the anti-Russian resistance groups.