Hotaki Persia, and No Nadir Shah

The Russians won't necessarily have the power to stamp the Kazakhs if Persian aid floods in....at least lower Central Asia should be fair game.

Yes, Persians could help the Kazakhs. Or share Central Asia with Russia. Because they won't leave Russians (even if they're allies) conquer ALL the lands between them, and reach their own border, without doing anything.

But, in the 19th c., Persia will be unable to stop Russia from conquering Central Asia. Not because they won't have the power, but because they'll be too busy elsewhere, and they'll need Russian neutrality or alliance.
 
I doubt it. The Russians will need to tame the Kazakh steppe to maintain their security on their borders.

The first forts were already being built and Peter even had an expedition commissioned across the Caspian to Turkmenistan. With effort that could be sped up considerably.

Trouble is, other more important matters took precedence.
 
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