Publication

This monograph examines Kazakhstan's defense capabilities and highlights the country's strategic importance to the US in the ongoing anti-terrorist operations in Afghanistan. The author argues that Kazakhstan's armed forces have not yet experienced systemic military reform. He assesses the achievements and setbacks of US and NATO defense assistance to the country, while also showing that Kazakhstan remains deeply linked in close defense and security partnership with Russia. He suggests greater sophistication and follow-up is needed from western assistance programs to ensure that Kazakhstan successfully gains genuine military capabilities and the type of armed forces it needs within Central Asia.