The U.S.-Kazakhstan Transitioning Relationship

Supporting a Rising Middle-Income Power

As the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Kazakhstan was one of 15 former Soviet republics that declared independence. In the 25 years since then, Kazakhstan has seen steady economic growth and raised its gross domestic product (GDP) from $18.3 billion in 2000 to $212.3 billion in 2014. As Kazakhstan’s second largest trading partner behind Russia, the United States should view Kazakhstan as an important economic and strategic partner in Central Asia and work to ensure that Kazakhstan follows the path of other middle-income countries such as South Korea.

 

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Daniel F. Runde
Senior Vice President; William A. Schreyer Chair; Director, Project on Prosperity and Development
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Conor M. Savoy

Conor M. Savoy

Former Senior Fellow, Project on Prosperity and Development