Eurasianet

In the years before independence, Stepnogorsk had become a key node in Moscow’s biological weapons program and uranium industry. Now it is one of many Kazakh provincial towns framed by its Soviet legacy.

De-Nazarbayevification is a useful electoral strategy, which may explain why the news was announced by Kazakhstan’s ruling party ahead of polls next month.

Already battling double-digit food inflation, a deep freeze threatens to destroy winter crops across Central Asia.

A joint venture with China has edged Kazatomprom, the world’s largest producer of uranium, into the nuclear fuel production cycle.

Authorities have been pushed into action by growing public criticism over the accident.

The accident in Ekibastuz came as temperatures plunged to -30 Celsius.

Despite freedom of information laws, Kazakh officials often refuse to discuss what Chinese investors are doing. That breeds suspicion.

The steel giant is on the hook for a multi-million dollar fine as officials ramp up grumbling about the company.

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan opposed discussion of Xinjiang at the UN Human Rights Council.

Lake Balkhash is fed by the Ili River that originates over the border in China’s Xinjiang region.

Organized citizens are beginning to check wealthy developers and their enablers in the Astana administration.

ArcelorMittal is hearing more complaints from government, as well as the public.

Authorities appear happy to chase the former first family’s money, but are squeamish about accusing them of mutiny.

Eurasianet’s correspondent in northern Kazakhstan has been following a dispute between a small town and its main employer, which appears to be heading for the exit.

Farmers suspect authorities are reluctant to offer a diagnosis, as some diseases would require the government to pay compensation.

Authorities are trying to balance the interests of big business with rising community resistance.

January’s unrest is on the government’s mind, but do authorities have the tools to respond?

Risks associated with the aging, coal-powered status quo are growing.

A small but determined group of activists made Nur-Sultan keep its promise.

Hyperlocal activism over green issues has been on the rise, but its resurgence is hurting the interests of tycoons profiting from the natural resource extraction sector.

A Eurasianet contributor is facing prosecution for reporting on the lack of protests in his hometown of Stepnogorsk. Here he tells his story.

A grassroots environmental campaign has implications far beyond the small Kazakh town where it started.

ArcelorMittal Temirtau has begun engaging, but air quality is not improving.