Central Asia has transformed from a quiet former Soviet “backyard” into a geopolitical hotspot, with the United States being the latest power to schedule a major summit with its five leaders on November 6.
This meeting in Washington, confirmed by the leaders of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, is part of a global scramble for influence. The EU, China, and Russia have all held similar talks this year.
The five nations—collectively as large as the EU—are rich in natural resources, including minerals vital for modern technology. They are also strategically located for global trade.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has disrupted the old order, prompting the C5 states to seek new, more diverse partnerships.
The US is now stepping in, offering a different model of engagement as it competes with Beijing and Moscow for economic and political sway in this rapidly emerging region.