People go on a killing spree, loot and burn because of vaccine mandates? Natives, Russians, Turkmen and Jihadists work all together because the leader is such a bad guy? I don't buy it. Kazakhstan is a country of tribes and clans, similar to Libya - a strong leader has to balance them out and to keep the more ambitious clan leaders in check. Somebody from outside (3 letters) disturbed the balance, most likely by delivering weapons and training to a would-be warlord. But Putin was prepared.
Outside forces took advantage of local grievances, I am not disputing that. What I am saying is that popular discontent was more organic than in other "color revolution" scenarios. Russia was not prepared. Russians were on vacation for Orthodox Christmas, they did not anticipate this crisis.
Thousands of well organized and trained combatants all over the country trying to shock the nation with extreme violence (cops had their heads cut off) - this was neither a grass-roots movement nor the typical color-revolution. This was similar to Syria, not Maidan. When the President appealed to the CSTO, they were immediately there - Russian, Belarus, Armenian, Kyrgyz, and Tadjik special forces, all well prepared. And unprecedented, they never did that before.
The President now knows that his fate depends on Russia, just like it happened to the leaders of Belarus and Armenia. They all tried to be pro-USA, but for that, they had to let in the Soros NGOs and social media. The NGOs did what they are made for, preparing an insurrection, and Putin waited for the moment the leaders cried for help.
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