British historiography of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy: the contribution of Shirin Akiner

Abstract

This article analyzes the works of the famous British researcher of Central Asia, Shirin Akiner, dedicated to the foreign policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Despite the sharp criticism of her position regarding the political events in Uzbekistan in 2005 and herself, as a researcher, her works should be examined. Because her works are delightful: she was able to overcome all those clichés that have become established in Western approaches and historiography regarding the entire region and each state in it. In her works, Sh. Akiner gave a comprehensive vision of the formation of independent states in Central Asia based on a combination of historical, socio-economic, and political analyses. Her articles, dedicated specifically to Kazakhstan, contain a thoughtful understanding of the foreign policy steps of the Republic, constructive criticism of certain aspects and recommendations for the development of the country's international relations.