US Not Planning to Leave Central Asia, Analysts Say as Rubio Heads to Region

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is heading to Central Asia amid growing competition between Washington and China and the region's efforts to reduce its dependence on Russia. According to Azattyk Asia, the trip raises questions about US interests, what Central Asian states hope to gain, and whether it could mark the start of a new stage in relations.

Rubio will visit Uzbekistan from October 17 to 22, leading a delegation that includes more than 200 American business representatives. The US State Department said on October 13 that Rubio will take part in a ministerial meeting in Samarkand in the C5+1 format, which brings together the United States and Central Asian states, and will hold bilateral talks with senior officials from the five countries.

Analysts note that Russia's war in Ukraine has diverted Moscow's attention and opened opportunities for other states, while China is expanding its presence through trade, infrastructure investment and the Belt and Road Initiative. Ariel Cohen said the United States is not planning to leave the region, while Ken Moriyasu described the visit as the beginning of an unprecedented-in-scale, high-level engagement between the US and Central Asia.