There has been an uproar in Kazakhstan throughout the past couple of weeks. Residents of Kazakhstan started protests in the streets due to the doubling of gas prices. Kazakhstan and Russia’s alliance has shown to be a great help during this time as Russian troops are stepping in to “stabilize” the nation’s chaos. 

Kazakhstan is about the same size as Western Europe, with a population of only 19 million people. The country is located between Russia and China and is oil-rich. 

Current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (ruling since 2019) has only managed to make things worse. He has fired government officials such as the prime minister in response to the crisis. Along with this, he also reestablished the gas subsidies. The president has urged police incorporation and approves of violence from authorities if necessary. Along with this, he has also cut off all internet access in the nation. This violent response from the government has only caused protests to continue.

Questions on this specific topic may arise. What do protestors want to gain from this? It is necessary to understand that the protests began from the raised gas prices. However, below the surface, the people of Kazakhstan are not satisfied with the government’s actions. The president has taken multiple steps to satisfy the citizens of his nation. As the protests continue to “morph” into protests for other issues, it is becoming evident that the people of Kazakhstan may not ever be fully satisfied with their way of life in Kazakhstan. 

President Tokayev has claimed that outsiders from foreign countries are organizing these protests. He does not believe that his people who “love” him would ever cause such a riot in their own homes. 

This issue has become so prominent that the Collective Treaty Security Organization (CTSO) has become involved. As this fact has become very evident to the world, people are on the lookout. Kazakhstan has kept Russia as a close ally by balancing out a healthy relationship with the United States of America. From another perspective, people see this as an opportunity for Russia to hold greater power and dominance over President Tokayev. 

This unrest could mean big things for the world. Kazakhstan has the most significant oil and uranium resources in the world. Their relationship with Russia and the United States may change depending on how this may result. This will mean that these resources are sent out of the country and could change huge world markets.