Podcast: Kazakhstan oil caught in Russia-Ukraine crossfire

CPC carries more than two-thirds of the oil that Kazakhstan sends to foreign markets.

In this episode of the Caps Unlock podcast, we first turn our attention to the fallout from a Ukrainian drone strike on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), a crucial oil transit route for Kazakhstan. With potential losses in the billions, the attack puts Kazakhstan in a diplomatic bind between Ukraine, Russia, and Western energy interests. Kazakhstan is playing cool for now. But why?

Next, we feature an interview with Azhar Baisalova, a representative from MoveGreen, a Bishkek-based NGO advocating for better air quality. Baisalova highlights the severe health risks posed by air pollution, the lack of reliable official data, and the economic cost of pollution in the region. The conversation also covers ongoing efforts to transition away from coal, promote sustainable urban transport, and expand gasification programs.

To end with, the podcast shifts to Kyrgyzstan, where authorities plan to integrate school surveillance cameras into the Interior Ministry’s monitoring system. The move is framed as a child protection measure but raises concerns about privacy and government overreach.

For feedback or inquiries (or complaints), please reach out by email to pleonard@capsunlock.org.