The role of digital platforms in shaping political discourse and international relations: Evidence from Kazakhstan’s X (Twitter)

Abstract

Digital platforms (DPs) have become central arenas for political communication and the construction of international narratives. This study examines how DPs shape political discourse and international relations in Kazakhstan, a multilingual and geopolitically strategic state situated between Eastern and Western power blocs. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach and combines quantitative analysis of 1,332 posts collected from X (formerly Twitter) with qualitative thematic analysis of 90 multilingual posts related to two major diplomatic events in 2023: Kazakhstan’s mediation initiatives in Afghanistan-related peace talks and the Astana International Forum. Inferential statistical techniques, including chi-square and correlation analyses, are applied to examine relationships between language use, engagement levels, and online visibility, while thematic analysis is used to identify dominant frames and value orientations in digital discourse. The findings indicate a strong association between major offline diplomatic events and increased online activity, suggesting that DPs amplify diplomatic engagement. English-language posts, although fewer in number, generate significantly higher levels of interaction than Kazakh- and Russian-language content, highlighting their effectiveness in reaching international audiences. Qualitative results reveal recurring narratives portraying Kazakhstan as a neutral mediator, a geopolitically cautious actor, and an emerging soft-power broker. Linguistic differences further show that Kazakh- and Russian-language discourse emphasize sovereignty and security concerns, and English-language content focuses on international cooperation and diplomatic branding. The study demonstrates that DPs function not only as communication tools but also as arenas where foreign policy narratives are constructed and contested, offering practical insights for digital diplomacy in multilingual and semi-authoritarian contexts.