The president of Kazakhstan has confirmed a November 6 summit in Washington with the US president, a move that highlights Central Asia’s significant diplomatic pivot.
This meeting, which the leader of Kyrgyzstan also confirmed he will attend, is part of a broader trend of the five nations diversifying their partnerships beyond their traditional ally, Russia.
The war in Ukraine has created an opening for other powers, and the US, China, and the EU have all eagerly stepped in. Each has hosted the C5 leaders for separate talks this year.
The region, home to 80 million people, is abundant in natural resources, including rare earths. This wealth, combined with its strategic location, has made it a center of global competition.
The Central Asian states are skillfully navigating this environment, seeking to maximize economic benefits and strengthen their sovereignty by engaging with all major powers.
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