Foreign media on Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan leads Central Asia in military strength; AI-powered prisons: Kazakhstan setting a new standard for safety and efficiency
From recent news about the start of construction on a third railway linking Kazakhstan and China, Kazakhstan’s significant advancements in modernizing its video surveillance system for prison management, and its leading position in the region in terms of military strength, Kazinform News Agency presents a weekly review of Kazakhstan’s coverage in foreign media.
The Times of Central Asia: Kazakhstan again leads Central Asia in military strength
Global Firepower (GFP) has released its Military Strength Ranking for 2025, evaluating the military capabilities of 145 countries based on 60 factors, including resources, financial stability, logistics, and geographic considerations, reports the Times of Central Asia.
In Central Asia, Kazakhstan continues to lead the region in military strength, ranking 57th globally, an improvement from its 58th position in 2024. Uzbekistan follows closely in 58th place, climbing seven spots from the previous year.
Turkmenistan also made notable progress, rising from 83rd in 2024 to 77th this year. Kyrgyzstan saw a modest improvement, advancing to 100th from 105th, while Tajikistan moved up one spot to 107th this year.
The GFP ranking evaluates around 60 criteria, such as troop levels, financial resources, logistics, and the availability of specific military assets. Kazakhstan performed particularly well in heavy weaponry, ranking 17th globally for the number of multiple-launch rocket systems (407 units) and 21st for self-propelled artillery. These strengths have significantly bolstered its defense indicators.
Globally, the United States remains the top-ranked military power, supported by the world’s largest defense budget of $800 billion. Russia and China maintain their positions in second and third place, respectively. Bhutan, ranked 145th, is the weakest army on this year’s list.
Azernews: Construction of 3rd railway between Kazakhstan and China begins
Kazakhstan and China are continuing to strengthen their cooperation in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, Azernews reports.
During a meeting in Beijing with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, it was emphasized that this route is crucial for ensuring the security of supply chains between Asia and Europe.
“The construction of the third railway connecting Kazakhstan and China, the Ayagoz–Tachen route, is now underway. Additionally, plans are in place to open a third border railway checkpoint. We are confident that more active utilization of the Middle Corridor will significantly enhance transit and transport cooperation between our countries,” stated Maulen Ashimbayev.
This initiative marks a key step in expanding the connectivity between Central Asia, China, and Europe, helping to further integrate regional economies. The Middle Corridor is already playing a vital role in facilitating trade and improving logistics efficiency. As new infrastructure is added, such as the Ayagoz–Tachen railway, it will reduce transit times, lower costs, and make the region an even more attractive destination for international trade.
The deepening cooperation between Kazakhstan and China comes at a time when both countries are focusing on enhancing trade and economic ties, particularly in the context of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This partnership also demonstrates the growing significance of Central Asia as a strategic transit hub between the East and West.
Computerworld: Kazakhstan’s AI-powered prisons: setting a new standard for safety and efficiency
According to Computerworld, Kazakhstan has taken a significant step in modernizing prison management with a nationwide video surveillance system deployed across 78 correctional facilities. This advanced system, featuring over 39,500 high-definition cameras equipped with AI-driven analytics, ensures real-time facial recognition, event detection, and license plate identification. The initiative has become a benchmark for enhancing safety, transparency, and operational efficiency.
Launched in response to a 2020 presidential mandate, the system has already delivered remarkable results. It has prevented 62 suicides, six escape attempts, and de-escalated 27 violent conflicts. Additionally, it has identified over 32,000 detention protocol violations, reduced corruption, and fostered humane treatment of inmates. Notably, no cases of staff torture were reported in the first half of 2024, underscoring its impact on accountability and ethical conduct.
This initiative goes beyond technology deployment. It integrates process improvements and staff training to maximize its potential, ensuring proactive incident management and fostering a culture of accountability. The system also supports inmate rehabilitation by improving physical, psychological, and social conditions in line with global trends.
Before this project, surveillance in correctional facilities was sporadic and unreliable. Kazakhstan addressed these challenges by establishing a centralized, secure monitoring hub that safeguards data integrity and ensures uninterrupted operations. The adoption of a fiber-optic private network enhances reliability, providing a scalable foundation for future advancements.
Looking ahead, Kazakhstan plans to integrate more advanced algorithms for object and event recognition and connect the system with other IT infrastructures, such as access control solutions. These enhancements will further strengthen public trust and the effectiveness of correctional facilities.
Kazakhstan resumes grain exports to Iran: a new chapter in agricultural diplomacy
Kazakhstan has restarted grain exports to Iran, marking a significant step in strengthening agricultural trade between the two nations, reports Africa Logistics. This move aligns with Kazakhstan’s strategy to diversify export markets and leverage its record 2024 grain harvest of 26.5 million tons, positioning itself as a key player in global grain supply.
Iran, historically a major importer of Kazakh grain, faces growing food security challenges amid rising global food prices. The renewed exports address Iran’s demand for reliable wheat supplies while boosting Kazakhstan’s export revenues. The partnership also highlights the strategic ties between Central Asia and the Middle East, fostering regional cooperation.
Improved infrastructure has played a vital role in enabling this trade. Kazakhstan’s investment in modernizing railways and logistics ensures efficient grain transport to international markets. Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company, has streamlined transit times and reduced costs, ensuring smooth exports to Iran.
This collaboration strengthens Kazakhstan’s position as a reliable grain supplier while offering Iran access to essential agricultural products. It also opens opportunities for Kazakhstan to expand its reach into the Middle East and Africa through Iran’s strategic location.
Looking ahead, the partnership is expected to grow, with potential for expanding agricultural trade to include other products like oilseeds and livestock. By reinforcing bilateral ties and addressing food security needs, Kazakhstan’s resumption of grain exports to Iran sets the stage for broader regional and global impact in agricultural trade.
Bangkok Post: Kazakhstan says part of Aral Sea has nearly doubled in volume
Kazakhstan announced on Monday that the northern part of the Aral Sea has nearly doubled in volume since 2008, marking a rare environmental success in a region long afflicted by pollution, reports Bangkok Post.
Once the world’s fourth-largest lake, the Aral Sea was devastated by Soviet irrigation projects, reducing its size by up to 90% from the 1960s to the 2010s. The freshwater sea, once 40 meters deep and spanning 68,000 square kilometers, has been called one of the worst environmental disasters.
According to Kazakhstan’s water resources ministry, the northern part of the sea has seen its water volume grow by 42% since 2008, reaching 27 billion cubic meters. This progress is attributed to the “implementation of Phase One of the (Northern) Aral Sea conservation project” funded by the Kazakh government and the World Bank.
In 2024, authorities redirected 2.6 billion cubic meters of water from the Syr Darya river into the northern sea, reducing salinity by nearly four times and revitalizing aquatic life.
Efforts to save the Aral Sea require collaboration among the five former Soviet Central Asian republics, which manage annual water quotas for the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers. Under Soviet rule, these rivers were heavily diverted for cotton and rice farming, causing the sea to dry up.
The drying of the Aral Sea led to ecological collapse, animal extinctions, and severe health issues caused by toxic dust from the lake bed. The northern section in Kazakhstan remains the focus of conservation, offering hope for reversing decades of damage.
You can read last week’s weekly digest here.
