U.S.-Central Asia relations

Central Asia has rarely occupied a prominent place on the U.S. foreign policy agenda, but the region’s dynamism shouldn’t be ignored by Washington.

While Beijing holds another presidential summit with Central Asia, Washington continues to discuss how to engage the region.

For all the pomp, pageantry, and promises, China’s latest overture into Central Asia is mostly more of the same, but that’s still important.

Whether Trump 2.0 becomes a turning point or a missed chance will rest on Central Asia’s willingness to lead, adapt, and forge partnerships on its own terms in an increasingly complex and multipolar world.

Can Central Asian states continue their multi-vector diplomacy, or will they be forced to choose between the U.S. and China?

As the new administration charts its foreign policy course, a stronger Central Asia-U.S. partnership can serve as a model for mutually beneficial cooperation.

What are the strategic interests of the United States in the development of deposits of critical minerals in Central Asia?

USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced an additional $14.3 million in regional programing, plus $18.7 million to boost collaboration in Uzbekistan, specifically.

Washington’s current approach sidesteps human rights concerns. Central Asia’s rights defenders and civic activists have suggestions to fix that.

Biden met with Central Asian presidents on the sidelines of UNGA to discuss security, economic cooperation, and critical minerals. 

Russian and Chinese influence in the region will never go away. But the United States now has a rare and valuable window of opportunity.

Senators Murphy and Young stress that the time is ripe to drop the “outdated” restrictions of Jackson-Vanik and “redefine” the U.S. relationship with Central Asia.