THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE TO COME

In this issue we publish an article by Tuleutai Skakovich Suleimenov entitled "The Past, the Present and the Future to Come". The author has made a great contribution as the first Minister of Foreign Affairs (1991-1994) to Kazakhstan's foreign policy and diplomacy after gaining independence, has been Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in several countries, is a Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan and holds a PhD in Political Science. Today, as a professor at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Suleimenov is actively involved in training a new generation of diplomatic personnel. On the eve of his 80th birthday Tuleitai Suleimenov shares his reflections on the path of a young state - the Republic of Kazakhstan in the 30th anniversary of its independence, in particular on the international initiatives of the First President of Kazakhstan - Elbasy Nazarbayev, which were a major contribution of Kazakhstan to the global agenda and international issues.

KAZAKHSTAN’S ENERGY POLICY IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION

Sustainable development is a mechanism that opens up for Kazakhstan the prospect of successful participation in a kind of competition for the right joining the group of leaders of world countries. The energy issue for Kazakhstan could become a factor of economic, social, political stability and security in the region. The article describes the geopolitical aspect of the development of energy policy of Kazakhstan. In the interests of its multi-vector energy and politics, Kazakhstan develops cooperation with Russia, China, USA, EU countries and neighbors in Central Asia. From following the geopolitical balance with these players depends on the further direction development of the country’s energy policy by and large.

THE AFGHAN EXODUS AND THE POSSIBLE NEW CONJONCTURE IN THE POST-USA REGION

Human history is not alien to the phenomenon of mass migration. Humans has been withnessing migration many times for ages. After the U.S announced that it will withdraw its troops from Afghanistan on August 31, a mass exodus of people from Afghanistan to other parts of the world began. The expansionist foreign policy of the USA presented itself as a country which seeks to contribute to the development of Afghan society and its state, resorting to “democratization and the fight against global terrorism” rhetoric. The main reason behind the U.S’s entry into Afghanistan is to achieve its objective of gaining geostrategic advantages. The U.S, which uses radical salafi movements as a stepping stone, has recently tried to make a presence in Central Asia, in a region confined by China, Russia and Iran, and to show a sustainable presence in the region from Afghanistan where the Taliban is now in control. The main issue is centered on what will occur after the 31st of August, when the USA leaves Afghanistan, how the conjuncture will unfold in the region and how the Taliban regime will interact with Iran, Pakistan and China. Western societies tend to analyze and construe the Taliban over their approach to women. However, the accurate approach should be contributing to the formation of a non-marginal, legitimate political regime in Afghanistan, which will also be in accordance with international law. With the stability to be achieved in Afghanistan, a refugee crisis can be prevented.

BALANCING OF SCALES: THE DYNAMICS OF U.S.-KAZAKHSTANI RELATIONS DURING G. BUSH JR. AND B. OBAMA PRESIDENCIES

This article presents a chronological overview of Kazakh-American relation dynamics in the period of G. Bush Jr. and Obama’s administrations – periods with principally varying perspectives on the region including Kazakhstan. The authors have aimed at showcasing the change in the priorities of the American foreign policy in relation to Kazakhstan – from a partner in war against terrorism, joint oil projects to the role of a transitionary state between the U.S. and Afghanistan. At the same time, it is not appropriate to claim that Kazakhstan was merely participating in bilateral relations. The authors highlight dividends that Kazakhstan received as a result of collaborating with Washington.

EU'S CENTRAL ASIA STRATEGY: NEW PERSPECTIVES FOR PARTNERSHIP

The article dwells on the prospects and opportunities of European Union’s new Central Asia Strategy defining trends and projects being implemented as part of 2020-2027 strategy. Furthermore, the article reviews current state of relations between EU and Central Asian countries, the main factors contributing to its strengthening and further development. EU’s new Central Asia Strategy is aimed at fostering sustainability of region where EU is one of the key players, including such areas as investment, infrastructure and trade.