Luca Anceschi - openDemocracy

The week that changed Kazakhstan forever

As Russian troops enter the country, hopes of a peaceful resolution are dashed

By Luca Anceschi

/ 6 Jan 2022

The week that changed Kazakhstan forever

Kazakhstan’s Eurasian illusions

Trying to find out what “Eurasia” means for Kazakhstan’s foreign policy turned out to be much harder than predicted.

By Luca Anceschi

/ 1 Jul 2020

Nazarbayev's resignation and the end of post-Soviet politics in Kazakhstan

The "lifelong leader" of Kazakhstan has resigned, putting an end to a 30-year rule — and opening up space to reflect on the country's development.

By Luca Anceschi

/ 20 Mar 2019

Nazarbayev's resignation and the end of post-Soviet politics in Kazakhstan

Modernising authoritarianism in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s so-called “spring” is more about upgrading this Central Asian state than providing political freedoms.

By Luca Anceschi

/ 9 Jul 2018

A terminal crisis in Turkmenistan?

While Turkmens are told they’re living in a “golden age”, food shortages, labour unrest and unemployment are on the rise. Unless president Berdymukhamedov changes things fast, his days could be numbered.

By Luca Anceschi and Bruce Pannier

/ 20 Dec 2017

Turkmenistan’s electoral denial

On the eve of another sham election, Turkmenistan’s rulers aren’t taking the need for change seriously. Have they begun to believe their own propaganda?

By Luca Anceschi

/ 8 Feb 2017

Kazakhstan: the limits of authoritarian crisis management

Violent attacks on state institutions have shaken the Nazarbayev regime in recent weeks, exposing its fixation with information control over state management.

By Luca Anceschi

/ 26 Jul 2016

The end of the Nazarbayev dream

Kazakhstan’s networked authoritarianism is a powerful system of media control, but it leaves little room for the regime to manoeuvre. Русский

By Luca Anceschi

/ 16 Nov 2015

The irreplaceables in Central Asia

In Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the authorities don’t even have to stuff the ballot boxes, their presidents have done everything they can to appear irreplaceable.

By Luca Anceschi

/ 24 Apr 2015

Regime preservation in Central Asia

For elites in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, regime preservation is priority number one. Even if that means cozying up to Putin.

By Luca Anceschi

/ 10 Mar 2015

Kazakhstan and the EEU: the rise of Eurasian scepticism

As in Europe, scepticism towards regional integration is on the rise in Kazakhstan. And just like the Old Continent, Astana is learning to play this to its advantage…

By Luca Anceschi and Paolo Sorbello

/ 15 May 2014

The importance of not being a 'stan'

What’s in a name? President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan was apparently in earnest when he recently suggested changing the name of ‘his’ country. If he gets his way, the domestic and international implications are very real.

By Luca Anceschi

/ 25 Feb 2014