Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan

Dark Shadows: Inside the Secret World of Kazakhstan by Joanna Lillis

If anybody has heard of Kazakhstan, it is most likely through the mockumentary Borat. Alas, while that does mention the name of the country it provides little in actual facts. Kazakhstan is one of the Asian former USSR republics. The residents were formally nomadic, but had been settled into cities during Soviet times. Russian still battles with Kazakh as the language of choice. At the time of independence, Khazak's were a minority population. However, the government has been encouraging Khazak's from other countries to "return home". For most of its independence, Kazakhstan has been ruled by a single ruler. However, he has recently resigned to turn over the country to a modicum of democracy.

This book provides a journalist's perspective on a number of issues in the country. Kazakhstan is still a developing country. There was damage done during the Soviet period, including the drying up of the Aral sea and the fallout from nuclear testing. Today, the country has oil riches. However, much of the people live in poverty. Public sector wages tend to be low, leading to many requests for kickbacks and scandals (such as a blood transfusion/AIDS scandal.) The ruling class is tightly knit and is likely to use "excuses" to crack down on opposition. The country is multi-ethnic, but some ethnicities are better than others. Similarly, multiple religions are tolerated, but only within tight limits.  There is freedom of the press, but a dissenting newspaper may find it impossible to get published. The country tries to maintain cordial ties with neighbors Russia and China while also maintaining its autonomy. The country still has plenty of challenges and growing pains.