November 06, 2025
Joseph Epstein on Kazakhstan's Accession to the Abraham Accords for RFE/RL
Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev will reportedly hold a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce Kazakhstan's intention to join, although Astana has already maintained full diplomatic ties with Israel for more than 30 years.
But Joseph Epstein, director of the Washington-based Yorktown Institute's Turan Research Center, told RFE/RL that while the move by Kazakhstan may appear symbolic, it could hold diplomatic weight moving forward.
“Astana’s decision to join the Abraham Accords marks the beginning of a new phase, transforming the accords from a Middle East peace initiative to a pro-US coalition of moderate Muslim countries devoted to tolerance and prosperity,” Epstein said.
Read the full article on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Joseph Epstein is the Director of the Turan Research Center and a Senior Fellow at the Yorktown Institute.