Zhulduz Baizakova | Kazakh national university named after al-Farabi (original) (raw)

Papers by Zhulduz Baizakova

BORDER ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN THE NEIGHBOURS IN CENTRAL ASIA: THE CASE OF VORUKH The, 2023

The current situation in the Vorukh enclave, located in the Ferghana Valley, whose borders are cl... more The current situation in the Vorukh enclave, located in the Ferghana Valley, whose borders are clearly disputed by the two Central Asian republics, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, seems rather complicated. Like many other enclaves within Central Asia, Vorukh has high unemployment rates and other socio-economic issues endemic for this region. The enclave turned into the major ignition point for border clashes between the Kyrgyz and Tajik forces for the last few decades.
The article examines both tangible and intangible factors that contribute to the tensions between the two states. Factors of ethnic and national identification are surveyed to understand certain actions, views and values of the belligerents during violent border incidents. The border incidents between Bishkek and Dushanbe might be described as interstate, intergovernmental and in some cases interethnic collision. One of the most important steps to resolve the matter is to engage in constructive dialogue and negotiations between the parties involved. This would require a feasible platform for open discussions of the issues, concerns, and grievances of each group, and political willingness to work towards mutually acceptable solutions.

The summer of 2016 turned out to be quite testing and complex in terms of security for the entire... more The summer of 2016 turned out to be quite testing and complex in terms of security for the entire Central Asian region. One can mention terrorist attacks in Aqtobe on 5 June 2016; an armed incident in Almaty on 18 July 2016; a car bombing at the Chinese Embassy in Bishkek in September 2016 and others. Main security event for Tajikistan is surely the news about its former special police unit (OMON) commander Colonel Gulmurod Khalimov becoming a new ISIS Minister of War. This article will look at this latest issue from a more detailed and analytical angle in an attempt to explain what it can possibly mean for Tajikistan and broader Central Asian nations in terms of security.

Border issues have always been an inherent part of the Post-Soviet realities within Central Asia.... more Border issues have always been an inherent part of the Post-Soviet realities within Central Asia. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Central Asia had to face numerous structural challenges including the management of the borders. Today when all five Central Asian countries are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their independence, there are significant border issues that remain unresolved and in most cases are overcomplicated. Over the years many disputed parts of the borders emerged, predominantly in the Fergana valley, where Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan territories meet, converge and in some cases clash. All three Republics found themselves with some portion of the territory whose population could not identify itself with the host nation. What was once in fact a part of a single country run from Moscow that easily handled any slight ethnic territorial, political and economic tensions, now it is under the control of three different countries with different legislation, foreign policies and approaches to border management and regulation Resumen: Las cuestiones fronterizas han sido siempre una parte inherente de las realidades postsoviéticas en Asia Central. Desde el colapso de la Unión Soviética, Asia Central tuvo que enfrentar numerosos desafíos estructurales, incluyendo la gestión de las fronteras. Hoy, cuando los cinco países de Asia Central celebran el 25 aniversario de su independencia, hay importantes cuestiones fronterizas que permanecen sin resolver y en la mayoría de los casos son demasiado complicadas. A lo largo de los años surgieron muchas controversias sobre las fronteras, predominantemente en el valle de Fergana, donde se juntan los territorios de Kirguistán, Tayikistán y Uzbekistán y en algunos casos chocan. Las tres Repúblicas se encontraron con una parte de su territorio donde la población no podía identificarse con el Estado anfitrión. Lo que fue una vez una parte de un solo país dirigido desde Moscú que manejaba fácilmente cualquier ligera tensión étnica territorial, política y económica, ahora está bajo el control de tres países diferentes con diferentes legislaciones, políticas exteriores y enfoques sobre la gestión y reglamentación fronteriza Las opiniones expresadas en estos artículos son propias de sus autores, y no reflejan necesariamente la opinión de UNISCI. The views expressed in these articles are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of UNISCI.

Starting from February 10 2017 Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Uzbekistan plan to resume t... more Starting from February 10 2017 Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Uzbekistan plan to resume the flights between the capitals of two countries.

On March 2-3 2017, the delegation from NATO’s highest military authority, the Military Committee,... more On March 2-3 2017, the delegation from NATO’s highest military authority, the Military Committee, had made a working visit to Georgia

Central Asia has been experiencing an increase or activation of radical Islamic movements over th... more Central Asia has been experiencing an increase or activation of radical Islamic movements over the last decade or so. These complex processes include increasing urbanization, institutional and individual corruption, the growing gap between rich and poor, the inability of the state to provide security, corruption in the law enforcement agencies, poor functioning of the state religious bodies, inefficient power structures, limited scope for citizens to influence decisionmaking, all which result in lower trust in the authorities as well as other factors. The authoritarian regimes of Central Asia gave rise to boiling anger and discontent among their populations. For people unable to defend their rights and interests, religion might be seen as a way out of this situation. Kazakhstan, the most stable and safe country in the region, witnessed a series of alleged extremist terrorist acts since 2011. Historic roots and identity of “Kazakh Islam,” the nature of connection and influence reaching Kazakhstan from neighboring North Caucasus and Afghanistan and how it affects radicalization of the youth, and reasons for misleading assumptions are analyzed so as to identify how Kazakhstan is viewed from the outside world. State structures and the role of the state overseeing issues regarding Islam and its practices, with attention to banned extremist groups, their specifics, and the country’s experience of political violence in 2011-12, as well as the state’s response to the acts of violence, are discussed.

The economic potential of the Central Asian countries can be considered as the basis for a new mo... more The economic potential of the Central Asian countries can be considered as the basis for a new model of cooperation and economic integration. The region of Central Asia can be the bridge between the European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries. In this
article are considered the role and the place of Afghanistan in transit opportunities of
Central Asian countries. The armed opposition in Afghanistan is a major obstacle for the
development of regional economic cooperation and realization of wide transit potential of
the Central Asia. Nowadays, Afghanistan is actively involved in the integration processes of Central Asia within the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other organizations. This fact will certainly help to promote fast reconstruction of Afghanistan in
partnership with the Afghan authorities and other members of the international community.
However, there is not a common point of view among specialists, analysts, representatives of the expert community and the intelligence services as far as the future
development of situation.

Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 12 Issue: 18 January 29, 2015

About Kazakhstan's plans to build an international nuclear fuel bank in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Publishe... more About Kazakhstan's plans to build an international nuclear fuel bank in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Published for Asia Times online on September 7, 2012

Central Asia Program Series, 2015

Kazakhstan has more than 20 rivers crossing its border with China, largest of which are Irtysh, I... more Kazakhstan has more than 20 rivers crossing its border with China, largest of which are Irtysh, Ili, Talas, Khorgos.
Today two largest rivers Irtysh and Ili are under increasing pressure from the China water withdrawals. The problem emerged few years ago when China launched its so called “Project 635” to construct, build, modernise and develop 635 different objects and facilities to boost the economy of its western provinces, predominantly Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Kazakhstan being a downstream country on both rivers is at a disadvantage. Two fundamental issues between Kazakhstan and China are “rational and equitable” water allocation and prevention of pollution. Presently there is no universal solution to Kazakh-Chinese transboundary water issues, as it is multifaceted and complex and requires a great deal of negotiations and compromises on the part of both parties.

This paper outlines Kazakh-Russian relations concerning the latter renting Baikonur space launch ... more This paper outlines Kazakh-Russian relations concerning the latter renting Baikonur space launch complex and accompanying complexities of it. It provides an overview of the existing issues between two countries with a special focus on environmental damage caused by the failed launches.

Zentralasien-Analysen, Apr 4, 2014

Kasachstan U s b e k i s t a n T u r k m e n i s t a n Kirgistan Tadschikistan zentralasien-

FMSO, Aug 7, 2014

When Kazakhstan was a part of the Soviet Union, it, as well as other republics, was a part of the... more When Kazakhstan was a part of the Soviet Union, it, as well as other republics, was a part of the USSR's military-industrial complex. According to some data, as much as 50 percent of various enterprises were located on Kazakh territory, producing naval and tank equipment, firearms (including large-caliber machine guns), missile guidance systems and components for air and coastal defense, ship-based missiles (including antiship and antisubmarine missiles), radioelectronic equipment for naval and aviation purposes, radar stations, torpedoes and torpedo components (including speedometers) and control systems, launch platforms and medium-range ballistic missiles, air-dropped antipersonnel and (sea) bottom mines, naval navigation equipment, and various hydraulic systems. Despite not being a naval power, Kazakhstan predominantly manufactured products for the navy. It also specialized in the delivery of fuel pellets for nuclear reactors, and the country was the main supplier of uranium, beryllium, and titanium, though it did not have its own nuclear industry. 2 After the collapse of the Soviet Union the majority of enterprises remained; however, government orders ceased, specialists left, and economic ties with the other republics were ruptured.