So much of former USSR central Asia seems to have a rubber stamp quality to the troubles there. Are there any real success stories, aside from maybe just stab

So much of former USSR central Asia seems to have a rubber stamp quality to the troubles there. Are there any real success stories, aside from maybe just stability (which itself is an achievement in this area)? Maybe Kazakhstan? I most vividly took away an image of the region and effects of Russian influence when I had read this article about how pro-Russia Crimeans should not be so quick to welcome Russian influence: https://archive.is/iZDJb https://archive.is/iZDJb ("If History Is a Guide, Crimeans’ Celebration May Be Short-Lived") People only need look to past examples of broken promises and more political posturing than real economic and governmental progress when being absorbed under the Russian umbrella.