Kazakhstan: Massimov Returns as Prime Minister

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has reshuffled his government again, reinstating Karim Massimov as prime minister. Nazarbayev is looking for a strong leader to implement tough economic and financial restructuring and to bring in large foreign investment. Massimov's return could raise tensions with Russia if the reinstated premier courts large non-Russian foreign investment, especially from China and the West. His return also will shake up the balance of power among the political circles vying to succeed Nazarbayev.