Kazakhstan, Russia
Guided by the FSB, Nur-Sultan and Moscow forge closer links

Central Asia, Russia
Despite change at the top, sparring continues at CSTO

Kazakhstan's Imangali Tasmagambetov, the next head of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Central Asia's answer to NATO, will struggle to improve the body's standing with some member states.

Belarus, Russia
Belarus's KGB administers caution on intelligence cooperation with Russia

The Russian and Belarusian intelligence chiefs met in Moscow on 7 July for what was a routine meeting but not one without its share of tension. Minsk is striving to retain autonomy from its great neighbour to the east.

Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's security council drafts new military doctrine

The Kazakh government's desire to strengthen its grip on the security apparatus has prompted it to launch an ambitious project to reform it, which is being carried out by recently appointed officials.

Russia, United States
US intelligence got confirmation of Russia's plans to invade Ukraine on 18 January

After regular alerts over a two-month period, American intelligence services were able to corroborate their suspicions about Russia's intentions towards Ukraine on 18 January. It was on this date that Washington was finally able to assemble the trail of clues left by Moscow into a coherent whole.

Kazakhstan
Kazakhtelecom symbolises Nazarbayev clan sleaze

The recent arrest of ex-president Nursultan Nazarbayev's nephew has put the spotlight on the former ruling family's hold over Kazakhstan's telecommunications sector.

Kazakhstan, Turkey, UAE
In view of Ukraine, Kazakhstan is ramping up its defence agreements and contracts

While the majority of Central Asian countries remain cautiously neutral on the war in Ukraine, Kazakhstan appears to have become the key focal point in the region for European and Asian countries. While maintaining a measured impartiality, Nur-Sultan has continued to reorganise and modernise its internal security and defence apparatus.

European Union, Kazakhstan
Former Kazakh KGB operatives to provide security for EU delegation in Nur-Sultan

Former Kazakh armed forces and intelligence service veterans, now working for private sector security operator Grupp Chetyre, are to provide protection for the EU delegation in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan, United States
Kazakhstan recruits US and Kazakh advisers in Stati legal battle

The Kazakh government remains embroiled in a lengthy legal wrangle with Moldovan businessmen Anatol and Gabriel Stati, with recent hearings in the US involving an army of advisers from New York and Nur Sultan.

Israel, Kazakhstan
Threatened in Nur Sultan, Kenges Rakichev has Israeli base to fall back on

The BTA Bank majority shareholder is not sitting idle as President Tokayev brings the country's intelligentsia to heel. Drawing on contacts far and wide, he has rustled up a PR campaign to present himself as a loyal supporter of the regime and, failing that, he still has his associates in Tel Aviv to fall back on.

Kazakhstan
Fall of Nazarbayev's sons-in-law prompts restructuring of Kazakhstan's oil sector

The protests in Kazakhstan have had an impact on the energy sector, which has seen heads roll among those close to ex-president Nursultan Nazarbayev. Russia's SVR is keeping a close watch on proceedings.

The Agencies' Gazette
DGSE, Kazakhstan's KGB

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community from London to Paris via Nur-Sultan.

Paris the DGSE adopts a TREX

Nur-Sultan the new KNB master's rise signals victory for the Tokayev camp

Paris DGSE more careful on the internet than DGSI

Kazakhstan, Switzerland, UAE
Kazakh oligarchs fly off on holiday to escape the protests

The unrest in Kazakhstan has led former President Nursultan Nazarbayev's inner circle and the country's oligarchs to fly out of the country in the hope that calm will soon be restored.

Russia
Marat Kabaev, Putin's discreetly influential 'father-in-law', does Russia's bidding in Central Asia

Marat Kabaev, the leader of Tatarstan's business community and a relay for Vladimir Putin in Central Asia, reportedly also has personal ties to the president.