Eyewitnesses say that radical Islamists are among the main forces destabilizing the situation in Kazakhstan, which points to the involvement in these events of organizations primarily linked to the West. Many facts of the situation suggest that the grounds are being prepared for a Ukrainian-style “Euromaidan” or another “Arab Spring.”
Kazakhstan is one of Russia's main allies and a member of both the CSTO and the Customs Union. Astana traditionally maintains a pro-Moscow course and is among Russia’s principle partners in Central Asia. The destabilization of Kazakhstan and potential conflict in the region would primarily hit Russia as the core of Eurasia.
The pro-Western character of the riots is underlined by fact that they often put forth anti-China slogans. The belief is widespread in Kazakh society that Beijing is attempting to seize Kazakh land and use Kazakhstan as a springboard for the further consolidation of Central Asia. By exploiting this myth, the organizers have chosen amendments to the Land Code as a pretext for the mass protests. This is a blow to relations between Kazakhstan and two members of BRICS.
