Major changes in the U.S. - Kazakh relations in the last couple of decades.

Abstract

This article examines the conceptual foundations and evolution of bilateral U.S.–Kazakhstan relations over the past two decades. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have successfully implemented joint projects and programs across key areas such as WMD non-proliferation, disarmament, trade, investment, counterterrorism, and regional security. The article traces the major transformations in Kazakh–American relations over the past 20 years, offering a periodization of their development. Each stage of the relationship is analyzed individually, followed by a comparative analysis and concluding remarks.

The primary objective of this study is to assess how successive U.S. presidential administrations have defined Kazakhstan’s role within American foreign policy from 2001 to the present. The research begins with an overview of bilateral relations in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and concludes with an analysis of relations during the Ukraine crisis and the effects of anti-Russian sanctions on U.S.–Kazakhstan ties. The findings demonstrate that despite ongoing instability across the Eurasian continent, Kazakhstan continues to occupy a significant position in U.S. foreign policy. Over the past several decades, American interest in Kazakhstan has steadily increase