Reshuffle - The Times Of Central Asia

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Diplomacy

Magzhan Ilyasov Appointed Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the United States

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed Magzhan Ilyasov as Kazakhstan’s new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States. The appointment is part of a broader reshuffling of the country’s foreign policy leadership. The presidential decree announcing the appointment was published on the official Akorda website. Ilyasov succeeds Yerzhan Ashikbayev, who served in Washington from 2021 until his dismissal on September 26, 2025, shortly after Tokayev’s working visit to New York. Born in Almaty in 1974, Ilyasov graduated with honors from the Faculty of International Relations at the Kazakh State University of World Languages. He later earned a master’s degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Ilyasov began his diplomatic career in 1996 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, starting as a referent before serving as attaché and secretary in the Department of the United Nations and International Economic Organizations. By the late 1990s, he transitioned to the Presidential Administration, focusing on protocol and organizing international meetings. From 2005 to 2016, he held senior roles in the foreign policy division of the Presidential Administration, eventually becoming an advisor to the president. His diplomatic postings include: 2016-2020: Ambassador to the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons; 2020-2022: Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the United Nations; and 2022-2025: Ambassador to the United Kingdom, with concurrent accreditation to Iceland and Ireland beginning in 2023 Ilyasov’s appointment comes amid a broader realignment of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy team. On the same day Ashikbayev was dismissed, several key changes were announced: Murat Nurtleu stepped down as Foreign Minister to become the president’s assistant for international investment and trade cooperation; Yermek Kosherbayev was appointed as the new Foreign Minister; and Yerzhan Kazykhan, formerly the president’s assistant for international affairs, was named Kazakhstan’s permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva. Ilyasov’s extensive diplomatic experience and recent high-profile postings are seen as aligning with Kazakhstan’s strategic priorities in the United States, particularly amid growing engagement in investment, trade, and security dialogue.

Reshuffle

After New York, a Shake-Up in Astana: Tokayev Resets His Foreign Policy Team

At the end of last week, the most talked-about news in Kazakhstan was the latest reshuffle in the upper echelons of government. Just one day after returning from New York, where he participated in the UN General Assembly, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev began issuing personnel decrees resulting in the dismissals and appointments of high-level foreign and trade policy officials. Murat Nurtleu left his position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and was reassigned as Assistant to the President for International Investment and Trade Cooperation. Nurtleu navigated a turbulent regional environment marked by the Russia–Ukraine war, which destabilized trade routes and supply chains, and emphasized building broader alliances with China while balancing ties with Russia, the U.S., and other partners. In his new post, the president has tasked Nurtleu with advancing Kazakhstan’s foreign investment and trade cooperation, refocusing his mandate squarely on securing economic gains from diplomacy. Yermek Kosherbayev was appointed as the incoming Foreign Minister. He was most recently Deputy Prime Minister and is a career diplomat and administrator, having also held senior posts in the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture ministries. President Tokayev has tasked him with reinforcing a balanced foreign policy, expanding economic diplomacy, deepening multilateral engagement, and strengthening the protection of citizens abroad. The former Assistant to the President for International Affairs, Yerzhan Kazykhan, was reappointed as Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva. A seasoned diplomat and ex–foreign minister, Kazykhan coordinated Tokayev’s international outreach with the U.S., EU, and OSCE. His posting to Geneva - where debates on human rights, trade, and security are shaped - signals Astana’s trust in a heavyweight envoy. He succeeds Yerlan Alimbayev, who has been in the post since 2022. Yerzhan Ashikbayev was recalled as Ambassador to the United States after more than four years in Washington. His tenure was defined by efforts to deepen political and economic ties, including advancing the U.S.–Kazakhstan Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue, supporting the first C5+1 leaders’ summit and Critical Minerals Dialogue, and expanding cooperation through the U.S.–Kazakhstan Strategic Energy Dialogue. Beyond the personnel changes themselves, observers quickly began parsing what the reshuffle reveals about Tokayev’s foreign policy priorities. As is customary in Kazakhstan, no official comments were offered on the reshuffle in Akorda. Nevertheless, speculation quickly spread across social media, with journalists and bloggers debating the implications throughout the weekend. Political scientist Gaziz Abishev framed Murat Nurtleu’s reassignment as shifting him from foreign policy towards the execution of the investment–trade agenda. Abishev noted that the “additional responsibilities for working with the investment bloc… which Nurtleu held as deputy prime minister, will go with him to the Presidential Administration,” narrowing his focus to delivery rather than strategy. This interpretation was later reinforced in more formal terms by the Presidential Administration’s spokesman, who explained that in his new post, Nurtleu “will develop contacts with representatives of foreign states at the highest level, as well as heads of major foreign companies, in order to accelerate the promotion of international investment and trade cooperation.” Analyst Andrei Chebotarev suggested...

Reshuffle

Japarov and Tokayev’s High-Level Reshuffles Usher in a New Political Season

Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan recently witnessed high-level political developments that drew attention beyond their borders. In Kyrgyzstan, the national parliament self-dissolved, while Kazakhstan underwent a series of administrative reshuffles. Though both events were driven by reform-oriented policies, observers have offered sharply contrasting interpretations. In Kyrgyzstan, the initiative to dissolve the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) was led by a group of 32 deputies headed by Speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu. They cited logistical and financial concerns over the proximity of the next parliamentary and presidential elections, scheduled for November 2026 and January 2027, respectively. Holding two major elections in such a short span, they argued, would pose political and economic challenges. As a result, early parliamentary elections will now take place on November 30, under revised electoral rules. The new system divides the country into 30 constituencies, each electing three deputies. Political parties may nominate only one candidate per district, and the overall number of deputies will remain at 90. However, the majority of seats are now expected to go to independents, reducing the dominance of political parties in the electoral process. Some Kazakh observers, long accustomed to viewing Kyrgyzstan as a “democratic island” in the region, interpreted these changes as a move toward greater political openness. Former diplomat and public figure Kazbek Beysembayev contrasted Kyrgyzstan’s reforms with Kazakhstan’s political trajectory, where authorities are reportedly planning to eliminate single-mandate districts in favor of a fully party-based electoral system. He warned this would further consolidate the ruling party’s dominance. “Such a move might be acceptable if laws on political party registration had first been liberalized. But that hasn’t happened,” Beysembayev argued. However, not all analysts share this optimistic view. Central Asia expert Arkady Dubnov sees the Kyrgyz move as a calculated maneuver by the ruling elite. He argues that a political duumvirate, composed of President Sadyr Japarov and State Committee for National Security (SCNS) chief Kamchybek Tashiev, has increasingly consolidated control. According to Dubnov, the early elections are designed to cement this grip on power. “By extending the gap between the parliamentary and presidential elections to 14 months, the authorities are creating space for a politically engineered campaign,” Dubnov explained. “This may pave the way for General Tashiev’s eventual rise to the presidency. His image as the real power broker, from resolving the border conflict with Tajikistan to renaming his hometown Jalal-Abad to Manas, has been solidified. President Japarov would likely retain influence within a reconfigured leadership structure.” In Kazakhstan, meanwhile, administrative reshuffles have continued, drawing significant attention, particularly the replacement of Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu with seasoned diplomat Yermek Kosherbayev. The change followed speculation in early September that Nurtleu had been detained by the National Security Committee, a claim that proved false but nevertheless added intrigue to his removal from the Foreign Ministry. He has since been appointed presidential aide for international investment and trade cooperation. Political analyst Daniyar Ashimbayev acknowledged that this role is technically a demotion but argued it still reflects political trust. “Tokayev doesn’t typically reappoint officials who have committed serious...

Saida Mirziyoyeva

Daughter of Uzbekistan’s President – His Aide as Well – Gets Promoted

The eldest daughter of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been elevated to head of the presidential administration, strengthening her power at top levels of the government of the Central Asian country. Saida Mirziyoyeva, 40, already had a high-profile role in Uzbekistan’s government, meeting international dignitaries in her role as a presidential aide. Now she will take on a newly created role that is likely to stir debate about whether she could become a candidate to eventually succeed her father. “By decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, changes were made to the structure of the Presidential Administration. The position of Head of the Presidential Administration was established,” and Mirziyoyeva was appointed to the job, presidential spokesman Sherzod Asadov said Monday. Asadov’s post on Telegram included a photo of Mirziyoyeva standing and acknowledging the applause of officials around a table. Mirziyoyeva has spoken in support of freedom of speech and women’s rights, issues that have sometimes run up against conservative culture and tight political controls in Uzbekistan. While her father, President Mirziyoyev, has pursued economic reforms and closer ties with international partners, OSCE observers said in a statement that there was a lack of political competition in legislative elections last year and the vote “did not offer voters a real choice.” Mirziyoyev, 67, has been president of Uzbekistan since 2016. He was re-elected in a 2023 vote after a constitutional amendment that reset the number of his terms in office and lengthened presidential terms from five to seven years.

Reshuffle

President Tokayev Dismisses Ministers of Defense and Transport

Kazakhstan’s political landscape has undergone a significant shift as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the dismissal of two key cabinet members, Ruslan Zhaksylykov, Minister of Defense, and Marat Karabayev, Minister of Transport. The decision marks a reshuffling within the country’s leadership as the administration seeks to address critical challenges in defense and infrastructure. Defense Minister Zhaksylykov Removed, Kosanov Appointed Ruslan Zhaksylykov’s removal as Minister of Defense comes during a time of heightened scrutiny over Kazakhstan’s military readiness and regional security. While the government has not disclosed specific reasons for the dismissal, defense analysts suggest it is tied to concerns about military efficiency, resource management, and preparedness in a challenging geopolitical environment. Criticism has mounted regarding the state of the country’s defense capabilities, with insiders pointing to inefficiencies in handling resources and gaps in modernization efforts. Zhaksylykov's departure aligns with President Tokayev’s broader drive to reform and modernize the armed forces, aiming for greater accountability and effectiveness. During Zhaksylykov’s time in office, the ministry faced frequent criticism over tragic incidents within the army, including fatal injuries and servicemen suicides, which sparked widespread public outrage. The administration has moved swiftly in appointing Dauren Kosanov as Zhaksylykov’s successor, with the President instructing him to enhance the army’s combat readiness, expand special operations forces, and modernize military infrastructure. A seasoned military leader, Kosanov has previously held key positions including commander of the Air Force and director of the Military Institute of Air Defense Forces. Transport Minister Marat Karabayev Dismissed After Short Tenure Simultaneously, Marat Karabayev has been relieved of his duties as Minister of Transport, a position he had held since September 2023 when the ministry was established. His term was marked by escalating challenges in the transport and logistics sector, culminating in mounting criticism from the President himself. Earlier this year, President Tokayev issued Karabayev an official reprimand for his unsatisfactory performance. The dismissal comes following a Security Council meeting chaired by the President during which Karabayev and other officials faced criticism for the state of the transport sector. Tokayev highlighted systemic issues, including delays in transit projects, bottlenecks at border crossings, and inadequate infrastructure at checkpoints. The President also condemned the lack of progress in fulfilling key plans designed to boost the country’s capabilities as a transit hub. Karabayev’s dismissal underscores the urgent need for reforms in the transport sector. President Tokayev stressed the importance of modernizing infrastructure to position Kazakhstan as a competitive player in international trade. He pointed to strategic initiatives such as establishing "green corridors" for streamlined border trade, improving transit volumes, and ensuring reliable aviation fuel supplies. Implications and Broader Context The twin dismissals demonstrate President Tokayev’s resolve to address inefficiencies and push forward with ambitious reforms. Both defense and transport are critical sectors for Kazakhstan’s future, given the country’s strategic geographical position. The defense ministry is facing growing pressure to modernize in response to regional security tensions, while the transport sector is vital for integrating Kazakhstan into global supply chains.

Reshuffle

Kazakh President Picks New Economy Minister Amid Reforms, Uncertainty

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev replaced the economy minister on Saturday, a move that came as Kazakhstan struggles with a depreciating currency even though it earned international praise for economic prudence in recent months. The Cabinet change also comes ahead of the January inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has warned of more tariffs in his second term. Nurlan Baibazarov, who was appointed as deputy prime minister and national economy minister in February, was replaced by Serik Zhumangarin, an experienced hand whose previous posts included deputy economy minister, trade minister and head of Kazakhstan’s Agency for Protection and Development of Competition. He was also among the several deputy prime ministers in the Cabinet and retains that title as well. Zhumangarin was tasked in his new job with ensuring Kazakhstan’s economic growth, implementing structural changes and improving budget and tax policies, according to the prime minister’s office. “In addition, the Ministry of National Economy needs to pursue a balanced policy of business support and a balanced policy of tariff regulation in order to ensure economic growth in priority sectors,” the office said. While global economic policy-makers are preparing for uncertainty over planned tariffs and other measures when Trump takes office, the president-elect and Tokayev agreed in a telephone conversation this month to collaborate on trade, investment and other areas. In September, the Moody's Ratings agency upgraded Kazakhstan's long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings to Baa1 from Baa2 and changed the outlook to stable from positive. Moody’s applauded institutional and economic reforms in Kazakhstan, as well as efforts to diversify and move away from hydrocarbons, but warned of the risk of geopolitical tensions and “secondary” sanctions related to Western economic pressure on Russia because of the war in Ukraine. In October, the International Monetary Fund predicted GDP growth in Kazakhstan of 3.9% for 2024, with growth expected to increase in 2025 despite uncertainty. It applauded what it called Kazakhstan’s tight monetary policy and commitment to exchange rate flexibility. Even so, Kazakhstan’s currency later came under increased pressure. The central bank said early this month that it had spent more than $1 billion in foreign exchange interventions since mid-November in an effort to stabilize the declining currency, which passed the threshold of 500 tenge to the U.S. dollar and hit record lows. Kazakh officials attributed the drop to the global appreciation of the dollar, a decrease in oil prices, the falling Russian ruble and other factors. Born in 1969 in Aktobe, Kazakhstan, Zhumangarin, the new economy minister, has also worked on competition and antitrust regulation for the Eurasian Economic Commission, a regulatory body that oversees the Eurasian Economic Union. The group aims at integrating the economies of the former Soviet states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Armenia and Belarus.