A nation must think before it acts.
February 08, 2022 | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | Eurasia Program
On January 5th, massive anti-government protests over skyrocketing fuel prices broke out in Kazakhstan. The government first turned off the internet and announced strict curfews to disperse the protesters, but after the protests turned into riots, President Tokayev ordered the security forces to “shoot to kill without warning.” Even more shocking was that Tokayev invited forces from the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), who immediately sent Russian troops to Almaty. RFE/RL has reported that about 227 people died during the unrest, including 149 civilians and 11 members of law enforcement bodies just in Almaty. More than 10,000 were detained during the unrest, and there are reportedly several hundred still in custody. What were the main causes of the uprising? Why did Moscow choose to intervene? Will Tokayev manage to hold on to power and regain credibility? Join us to discuss the aftermath of Kazakhstan’s “bloody January.”
This event is co-sponsored by the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs. Click here to learn more about The Oxus Society.
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