FT News Briefing The London-Kazakhstan connection
Jan 14, 2022
Google makes headlines with a billion-dollar investment in a London office, raising eyebrows amid declining office usage. The podcast dives deep into the turbulent political situation in Kazakhstan and its troubling ties to London's elite, illustrating the broader implications of global wealth dynamics. It also unpacks the controversial role of Citadel Securities in retail trading, especially in light of recent stake sales and the ongoing fallout from the GameStop saga.
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Zhanaozen Massacre
- Ten years ago, protests erupted in Zhanaozen, an oil town, against corruption.
- The Kazakh regime's security forces responded with violence, killing and torturing protesters.
Nazarbayev's Image Management
- After the Zhanaozen massacre, President Nazarbayev sought advice from Tony Blair on managing his image before a speech at Cambridge University.
- Blair helped Nazarbayev spin the massacre to portray himself as a force for stability.
London's Role in Kleptocracy
- London provides a range of services to kleptocratic regimes, from legal and PR support to real estate acquisition and private security.
- This enables these regimes to maintain power and mask corruption.