In a late but significant play, the United States is scrambling to match the diplomatic engagement of China and Russia in Central Asia, with a presidential summit planned for November 6.
President Donald Trump is set to host the C5 leaders, an event confirmed by the Kazakh and Kyrgyz presidents. This follows similar high-level meetings hosted by Beijing and Moscow.
The US is vying for influence in the former Soviet region, where Russia’s dominance has been severely undermined by the war in Ukraine.
This power vacuum has led to a “scramble for influence,” with the EU also stepping up its engagement.
The region is rich in rare earths and strategically located, making it a critical area for superpower competition. The US is now signaling it intends to be a serious contender.