US intelligence appears to be following closely the increase in Kazakhstan’s nuclear commerce. A new report reveals that ‘Kazakhstan might be looking to do business with other, less responsible regimes, too.’ These other nuclear vendors have a shady record when it comes to weapons proliferation.

Thus far, Kazakhstan has cooperated with the US on key denuclearization issues, since the dissolution of the Soviet Union that paved the way for Kazakhstan’s independence. ‘Nuclear weapons stationed on Kazakh territory were returned to Russia and their delivery systems destroyed.’ The country has also ‘cut a number of nuclear material deals with Russia, China, and other nations.’

However, a new report from the US Director of National Intelligence’s Open Source Center reveals that ‘seemingly contrary to its promotion of a peaceful, nuclear weapon-free Central Asia, Kazakhstan foresees itself connected to the nuclear arena, and actively pursues collaborations with other countries in nuclear-related activities.’

Kazakhstan’s leader, Nursultan Nazarbaev, has articulated that ‘he wants to do more than export raw uranium. He wants to export more profitable fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors.’ It is suspected that Kazakhstan may partner with Iran, a nearby regional power.

The Republic of Kazakhstan is an Asian country which is ranked as the ninth largest country in the world. It is now considered to be the dominant state in Central Asia. The country is proud of its membership in the UN and NATO. In 2010, Kazakhstan will chair the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

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Via The Christian Science Monitor