The United States is turning its diplomatic attention to the resource-rich expanse of Central Asia, with a summit between the US president and the region’s five leaders reportedly slated for November 6.
While much of the territory is covered by mountains and deserts, it holds vast quantities of natural resources, including oil, gas, and strategically important rare earths. This mineral wealth is a primary driver behind the surge in global interest.
The presidents of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have confirmed the Washington summit is planned, according to their offices. This move is part of a broader trend of major powers, including China, Russia, and the EU, all jockeying for a stronger economic and diplomatic foothold.
The five countries, with a combined population of 80 million, are also strategically located. They are working to coordinate and revive their historical role as a key land bridge for trade between Asia and Europe.
The geopolitical landscape has been shifting since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, prompting these former Soviet states to seek new alliances and economic opportunities, a dynamic the US appears keen to capitalize on.