The Kazakhstan political situation was essentially stable in 2011, but the authorities also encountered unprecedented challenge. Through holding the presidential election earlier, the president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, successfully maintained the regime security until 2016. Economy kept its rapid growth. However, the social problems have become increasingly prominent. The long-running strike in Zhanaozen had disintegrated into rampant disorder. The security situation had been worse and many violence cases had happened. The leadership transition is still far from clear. The political prospects in the post-Nazarbayev time have many possibilities. <<