The statement that most directly reflects the changes experienced by people in the Caucasus and Central Asia since the breakup of the Soviet Union is:
C. Kazakhstan is having economic success trading its energy resources with the West.
This indicates a significant shift in the region's economy and highlights a change in the way these countries interact with global markets, particularly after gaining independence from the Soviet Union. The economic developments, especially in energy trading, have had a major impact on the livelihoods and living standards of the populations in Kazakhstan and beyond.