The leaders of the “C5” Central Asian nations are reportedly heading to Washington for a November 6 summit with the US president, a move aimed at significantly boosting the American footprint in the region.
This initiative, confirmed by the leaders of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, comes as a geopolitical vacuum has emerged. Russia’s long-standing influence has been questioned, inviting other powers to step in.
China has been aggressively expanding its economic ties, while the European Union has also increased its diplomatic outreach. This US summit is a clear response to those moves.
The five nations—Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—are rich in natural resources and are strategically vital for East-West trade.
The leaders themselves are seeking to diversify their partnerships to gain economic benefits and political autonomy, skillfully playing the interests of major powers against each other.