By Javlon Vakhabov

In an era of shifting global power dynamics, Central Asia is becoming a more unified region through emerging diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. Uzbekistan is prioritizing these efforts within its foreign policy, believing cooperation will be Central Asia’s opportunity to accelerate regional development. Central Asia must also take advantage of its integration efforts to form cultural ties among its regional peoples. While Uzbekistan hopes to emulate international multilateral economic and diplomatic organizations, such as the early European Coal and Steel Community, within Central Asian frameworks, Uzbekistan also supports a policy of engagement towards Afghanistan. Instead of sanctioning and excluding Afghanistan, Uzbekistan hopes to integrate it into the Central Asian community and leverage economic interconnectivity for stability.

Read A New Central Asia Emerging: Opportunities and Challenges.

By S. Enders Wimbush

The analysis below builds upon the comprehensive strategy framework outlined in the April 2025 CACI report "An American Strategy for Greater Central Asia," offering a more focused examination of how the U.S. can implement these strategic recommendations in practice. While the original report laid out the institutional and policy foundations needed for effective engagement with the region, this follow-up piece explores the practical steps required to operationalize America's approach to this geopolitically critical area.

Any pivot to Asia must prioritize a comprehensive strategy for Greater Central Asia,  yet the U.S. has offered no coherent regional strategy to date. Greater Central Asia is the connective tissue bridging Europe to Asia through energy, trade, transport, and resources, a cornucopia of commercial opportunities. The region figures prominently in the strategies of U.S. adversaries for securing competitive advantage against American interests. Ignoring Greater Central Asia thus exposes the U.S. to lost opportunities and unwanted strategic surprises.

Read A New American Strategy for Greater Central Asia. 

By Onnik James Krikorian

Under Nikol Pashinyan, Armenia has started the process of seeking to undo decades of deepening dependence on Russia. This process, however, is not an easy one. Moscow still maintains control over Armenia’s strategic industries, not least in the energy sector. It also has myriad ways of influencing Armenia, including through migrant workers and the influence of Russian media. Meanwhile, the EU and U.S. are preoccupied, including with deteriorating relations with neighboring Georgia. In the end, to escape dependence on Russia, they key for Armenia is the normalization of relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, a process that is nevertheless not moving fast enough. As Pashinyan’s popularity wanes, Armenia’s positions between Brussels and Moscow is precarious indeed.

Read Between Brussels and Moscow: Armenia's Geopolitical Balancing Act.