Togzhan Kassenova
@togzhankassenova.bsky.social
Almaty-born, DC-based expert on nuclear politics and financial crime prevention
Author of Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb (Stanford University Press, 2022)
http://www.togzhankassenova.com
Author of Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb (Stanford University Press, 2022)
http://www.togzhankassenova.com
Pinned
It has been exactly 3 years since @stanfordpress.bsky.social published Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb. What followed was incredible: the book has inspired poems, theater performances, PhD dissertations, and the arrival of young Kazakh nuclear disarmament activists. 1/2
George Perkovich:
"A House of Dynamite shows us why everyone on earth must question the wisdom of granting a handful of leaders with nuclear buttons the power to kill everyone and every living thing on the planet—in less time than it takes to watch the film."
carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
"A House of Dynamite shows us why everyone on earth must question the wisdom of granting a handful of leaders with nuclear buttons the power to kill everyone and every living thing on the planet—in less time than it takes to watch the film."
carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
“A House of Dynamite” Shows Why No Leader Should Have a Nuclear Trigger
I’m a nuclear expert. The film’s illustration of powerlessness and choice was harrowing.
carnegieendowment.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:25 AM
George Perkovich:
"A House of Dynamite shows us why everyone on earth must question the wisdom of granting a handful of leaders with nuclear buttons the power to kill everyone and every living thing on the planet—in less time than it takes to watch the film."
carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
"A House of Dynamite shows us why everyone on earth must question the wisdom of granting a handful of leaders with nuclear buttons the power to kill everyone and every living thing on the planet—in less time than it takes to watch the film."
carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
Reposted by Togzhan Kassenova
A new fellowship for historians looking to profile key figures of the nuclear age, named for the remarkable nuclear historian Marty Sherwin:
www.gc.cuny.edu/news/generou...
www.gc.cuny.edu/news/generou...
Generous Gift to the CUNY Graduate Center Endows New Biography Fellowship
The family of Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Martin J. Sherwin establishes a fellowship for nuclear age biography at the Leon Levy Center for Biography.
www.gc.cuny.edu
November 13, 2025 at 5:20 PM
A new fellowship for historians looking to profile key figures of the nuclear age, named for the remarkable nuclear historian Marty Sherwin:
www.gc.cuny.edu/news/generou...
www.gc.cuny.edu/news/generou...
Have you watched or planning to watch House of Dynamite?
Check out this handy guide from the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.
armscontrolcenter.org/a-house-of-d...
Check out this handy guide from the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.
armscontrolcenter.org/a-house-of-d...
A House of Dynamite - Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
How realistic is A House of Dynamite? Could it really happen? What's real and what's not? Our resources break it down.
armscontrolcenter.org
November 4, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Have you watched or planning to watch House of Dynamite?
Check out this handy guide from the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.
armscontrolcenter.org/a-house-of-d...
Check out this handy guide from the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.
armscontrolcenter.org/a-house-of-d...
Gift link: wapo.st/4oMTRWN
Trump push to restart nuclear tests could take years, cost millions, experts say
The Nevada Test Site — where the U.S. last tested a nuclear explosive more than 30 years ago — now relies on computer modeling, not physical explosions.
wapo.st
October 31, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Gift link: wapo.st/4oMTRWN
Earlier this summer, former U.S. Ambassador Richard Boucher, passed away. He'll be remembered as an astute observer of Central Asia.
Back in 2021, Ambassador Boucher contributed a personal essay to the Davis Center/Eurasianet series. Pls give it a read: daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/insights/whe...
Back in 2021, Ambassador Boucher contributed a personal essay to the Davis Center/Eurasianet series. Pls give it a read: daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/insights/whe...
Where Is Central Asia, Anyway?
A former top U.S. diplomat reflects on the many ways ex-Soviet Central Asia can be viewed from Washington — Russian dependency, Chinese sphere of influence, new global hub with links in all directions...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
September 13, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Earlier this summer, former U.S. Ambassador Richard Boucher, passed away. He'll be remembered as an astute observer of Central Asia.
Back in 2021, Ambassador Boucher contributed a personal essay to the Davis Center/Eurasianet series. Pls give it a read: daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/insights/whe...
Back in 2021, Ambassador Boucher contributed a personal essay to the Davis Center/Eurasianet series. Pls give it a read: daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/insights/whe...
Just in time for the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb is on sale for 50% off, at $16 from @stanfordpress.bsky.social
www.sup.org/books/politi...
www.sup.org/books/politi...
August 30, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Just in time for the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb is on sale for 50% off, at $16 from @stanfordpress.bsky.social
www.sup.org/books/politi...
www.sup.org/books/politi...
July 10, 12:30 PM ET - In-person (at capacity) and online (registration is still open).
More details and registration: www.armscontrol.org/From_Trinity...
Draft agenda: www.armscontrol.org/sites/defaul...
More details and registration: www.armscontrol.org/From_Trinity...
Draft agenda: www.armscontrol.org/sites/defaul...
From Trinity to Today: Nuclear Weapons and the Way Forward | Arms Control Association
www.armscontrol.org
July 7, 2025 at 10:25 PM
July 10, 12:30 PM ET - In-person (at capacity) and online (registration is still open).
More details and registration: www.armscontrol.org/From_Trinity...
Draft agenda: www.armscontrol.org/sites/defaul...
More details and registration: www.armscontrol.org/From_Trinity...
Draft agenda: www.armscontrol.org/sites/defaul...
Online tomorrow, Tuesday, June 10, 11 AM ET - Self-Dealing in the Trump Administration: A Conversation With Norm Eisen.
carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
Self-Dealing in the Trump Administration: A Conversation With Norm Eisen
Join Aaron David Miller as he engages in conversation with Norm Eisen, founder of Democracy Defenders Action and a senior fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, on the next Carnegi...
carnegieendowment.org
June 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Online tomorrow, Tuesday, June 10, 11 AM ET - Self-Dealing in the Trump Administration: A Conversation With Norm Eisen.
carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
Reposted by Togzhan Kassenova
If you're in the DC area, please join me at the @carnegieendowment.org on May 22 for an event launching my new book, 'THE NEW NUCLEAR AGE: AT THE PRECIPICE OF ARMAGEDDON' (with @coreyah.bsky.social, @atomicbell.bsky.social, and @davidehoffman.bsky.social): carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
Has the World Arrived in a New Nuclear Age?
Russia is issuing threats of nuclear strikes, China and North Korea are growing their arsenals, and there are prospects for proliferation around the globe. Moreover, emerging technologies, including A...
carnegieendowment.org
May 13, 2025 at 1:35 AM
If you're in the DC area, please join me at the @carnegieendowment.org on May 22 for an event launching my new book, 'THE NEW NUCLEAR AGE: AT THE PRECIPICE OF ARMAGEDDON' (with @coreyah.bsky.social, @atomicbell.bsky.social, and @davidehoffman.bsky.social): carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
A new entry in the Ambassadors' Series on Central Asia, published by @eurasianet.bsky.social, spearheaded by @nargiskassenova.bsky.social of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies.
Allan Mustard on the use of shoe leather diplomacy in Turkmenistan.
eurasianet.org/memoir-recol...
Allan Mustard on the use of shoe leather diplomacy in Turkmenistan.
eurasianet.org/memoir-recol...
Memoir: Recollecting the benefits of shoe leather diplomacy in Turkmenistan
Getting out, getting a feel for the place, and putting pins on a map.
eurasianet.org
May 14, 2025 at 1:31 PM
A new entry in the Ambassadors' Series on Central Asia, published by @eurasianet.bsky.social, spearheaded by @nargiskassenova.bsky.social of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies.
Allan Mustard on the use of shoe leather diplomacy in Turkmenistan.
eurasianet.org/memoir-recol...
Allan Mustard on the use of shoe leather diplomacy in Turkmenistan.
eurasianet.org/memoir-recol...
Apologies - only in person, but the recording should become available later.
Tomorrow, April 29, in person at GWU and online:
calendar.gwu.edu/event/naviga...
calendar.gwu.edu/event/naviga...
Navigating Geopolitical Shifts: Central Asia’s Quest for Autonomy and Sustainable Development
calendar.gwu.edu
April 29, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Apologies - only in person, but the recording should become available later.
Tomorrow, April 29, in person at GWU and online:
calendar.gwu.edu/event/naviga...
calendar.gwu.edu/event/naviga...
Navigating Geopolitical Shifts: Central Asia’s Quest for Autonomy and Sustainable Development
calendar.gwu.edu
April 28, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Tomorrow, April 29, in person at GWU and online:
calendar.gwu.edu/event/naviga...
calendar.gwu.edu/event/naviga...
A conversation with the IAEA's DG Rafael Grossi at #nukecon is now available online. I highly recommend it.
Iran, Zaporizhzhia NPP, peaceful nuclear energy, and much more...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKNQ...
Iran, Zaporizhzhia NPP, peaceful nuclear energy, and much more...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKNQ...
A Keynote Conversation With Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi
YouTube video by Carnegie Endowment
www.youtube.com
April 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM
A conversation with the IAEA's DG Rafael Grossi at #nukecon is now available online. I highly recommend it.
Iran, Zaporizhzhia NPP, peaceful nuclear energy, and much more...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKNQ...
Iran, Zaporizhzhia NPP, peaceful nuclear energy, and much more...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKNQ...
Reposted by Togzhan Kassenova
Have you been to Bozjyra, Mangystau region in Western Kazakhstan? Part of the ancient ocean Tetis. It's simply mind blowing. Mad Max, Furiosa and Dune are crying ))
I strongly recommend visiting this Marsian place! 🤍🩶
I strongly recommend visiting this Marsian place! 🤍🩶
April 28, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Have you been to Bozjyra, Mangystau region in Western Kazakhstan? Part of the ancient ocean Tetis. It's simply mind blowing. Mad Max, Furiosa and Dune are crying ))
I strongly recommend visiting this Marsian place! 🤍🩶
I strongly recommend visiting this Marsian place! 🤍🩶
"Sen. Cory Booker devoted all of Monday night and into Tuesday evening on the Senate floor, delivering an impassioned speech in protest of the Trump administration's policies. This effort [...] set a record for the longest speech on record given in the chamber."
www.npr.org/2025/04/01/n...
www.npr.org/2025/04/01/n...
Cory Booker breaks a 68-year-old Senate record with a 25-hour speech
The New Jersey Democrat spent more than 25 hours criticizing the Trump administration's policies on immigration, education, the economy and more since 7 p.m. ET Monday. He ended his marathon speech sh...
www.npr.org
April 2, 2025 at 1:27 AM
"Sen. Cory Booker devoted all of Monday night and into Tuesday evening on the Senate floor, delivering an impassioned speech in protest of the Trump administration's policies. This effort [...] set a record for the longest speech on record given in the chamber."
www.npr.org/2025/04/01/n...
www.npr.org/2025/04/01/n...
"On a desolate former nuclear test site, three generations confront the haunting legacy of the past as they fight for survival and hope in a world on the brink of destruction."
"We Live Here" by 🇰🇿 director Zhanana Kurmasheva is part of the CPH:DOX festival!
cphdox.dk/film/we-live...
"We Live Here" by 🇰🇿 director Zhanana Kurmasheva is part of the CPH:DOX festival!
cphdox.dk/film/we-live...
We Live Here - CPH:DOX
On a desolate former nuclear test site, three generations confront the haunting legacy of the past as they fight for survival and hope in a world on the brink of destruction.
cphdox.dk
March 31, 2025 at 3:11 PM
"On a desolate former nuclear test site, three generations confront the haunting legacy of the past as they fight for survival and hope in a world on the brink of destruction."
"We Live Here" by 🇰🇿 director Zhanana Kurmasheva is part of the CPH:DOX festival!
cphdox.dk/film/we-live...
"We Live Here" by 🇰🇿 director Zhanana Kurmasheva is part of the CPH:DOX festival!
cphdox.dk/film/we-live...
Reposted by Togzhan Kassenova
H-Diplo roundtable of my book is finally out! Grateful to Anna-Mart van Wyck, Valeria Hesse, and Mark Kramer for their reviews, to Polina Sinovets and Iryna Maksymenko for the introduction, and to Elisabeth Roehrlich and Diane Labrosse for guiding the process through to completion.
H-Diplo | RJISSF Roundtable 16-29 on Budjeryn, Inheriting the Bomb
28 March 2025 | PDF: https://issforum.org/to/jrt16-29 | Website: rjissf.org | X: @HDiplo Editor: Diane Labrosse Commissioning Editor: Elisabeth Roehrlich Production Editor: Christopher Ball Pre…
issforum.org
March 28, 2025 at 11:54 AM
H-Diplo roundtable of my book is finally out! Grateful to Anna-Mart van Wyck, Valeria Hesse, and Mark Kramer for their reviews, to Polina Sinovets and Iryna Maksymenko for the introduction, and to Elisabeth Roehrlich and Diane Labrosse for guiding the process through to completion.
In the Face of Oppression, Feminist Resistance in Kazakhstan Persists
thediplomat.com/2025/03/in-t...
thediplomat.com/2025/03/in-t...
In the Face of Oppression, Feminist Resistance in Kazakhstan Persists
Kazakhstan’s feminist activists persist, despite formidable resistance from both the state and anti-feminist groups.
thediplomat.com
March 21, 2025 at 6:53 PM
In the Face of Oppression, Feminist Resistance in Kazakhstan Persists
thediplomat.com/2025/03/in-t...
thediplomat.com/2025/03/in-t...
Woodrow Wilson Center 💔
Gutted to see the Woodrow Wilson Center included in this. It has been a crucial institution in the production, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge about the history of the U.S. and the world. Its Cold War archives are a priceless teaching and research tool. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/u...
Trump Orders Gutting of 7 Agencies, Including Voice of America’s Parent (Gift Article)
The order targeting the agencies, largely obscure entities that address issues like labor mediation and homelessness prevention, appeared to test the bounds of the president’s power.
www.nytimes.com
March 15, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Woodrow Wilson Center 💔
Reposted by Togzhan Kassenova
Ooo, tämä olisi mainiota saada nähtäväksi myös Suomeen!
March 13, in person, Cambridge, MA. Thank you for this important contribution, @hellogera.bsky.social!:
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/film-...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/film-...
Film Screening: 'JARA — Radioactive Patriarchy: Women of Qazaqstan'
This film sheds light on the stories of six women from a nuclear-affected community in Kazakhstan. It explores topics such as technology-driven and state-sponsored gender-based violence, as well as th...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
March 8, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Ooo, tämä olisi mainiota saada nähtäväksi myös Suomeen!
Reposted by Togzhan Kassenova
Hope to catch this film somewhere! "JARA — Radioactive Patriarchy: Women of Qazaqstan" is an independent documentary that unearths the tragic legacy of environmental destruction and human suffering caused by 40 years of Soviet nuclear testing on Qazaq land.
March 13, in person, Cambridge, MA. Thank you for this important contribution, @hellogera.bsky.social!:
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/film-...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/film-...
Film Screening: 'JARA — Radioactive Patriarchy: Women of Qazaqstan'
This film sheds light on the stories of six women from a nuclear-affected community in Kazakhstan. It explores topics such as technology-driven and state-sponsored gender-based violence, as well as th...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
March 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Hope to catch this film somewhere! "JARA — Radioactive Patriarchy: Women of Qazaqstan" is an independent documentary that unearths the tragic legacy of environmental destruction and human suffering caused by 40 years of Soviet nuclear testing on Qazaq land.
Reposted by Togzhan Kassenova
Russian imperialism didn’t start in 2022, nor is it confined to Ukraine.
My new book analyses the Kremlin’s long shadow—past and present.
Out on 24 April.
My new book analyses the Kremlin’s long shadow—past and present.
Out on 24 April.
March 6, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Russian imperialism didn’t start in 2022, nor is it confined to Ukraine.
My new book analyses the Kremlin’s long shadow—past and present.
Out on 24 April.
My new book analyses the Kremlin’s long shadow—past and present.
Out on 24 April.
March 13, in person, Cambridge, MA. Thank you for this important contribution, @hellogera.bsky.social!:
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/film-...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/film-...
Film Screening: 'JARA — Radioactive Patriarchy: Women of Qazaqstan'
This film sheds light on the stories of six women from a nuclear-affected community in Kazakhstan. It explores topics such as technology-driven and state-sponsored gender-based violence, as well as th...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
March 7, 2025 at 10:03 PM
March 13, in person, Cambridge, MA. Thank you for this important contribution, @hellogera.bsky.social!:
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/film-...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/film-...