Over the past year, Russian authorities have intensified raids on migrant workers from Central Asia — actions widely viewed as a reflection of rising public Islamophobia and xenophobia and a key source of mounting tension between Moscow and the region. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) also wields significant influence throughout Central Asia but treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang has strained the PRC’s image across the region, where ties to the Turkic Muslim population run deep. Central Asia — rich in rare earth elements and eager to diversify its partnerships — offers the U.S. an alternative pathway to reduce supply chain dependence on Beijing, however it would take a long-term investment politically, economically, and diplomatically. In recent years, Türkiye has worked to leverage its cultural connection and growing strategic importance to deepen trade and investment across the region — signaling its desire to evolve from a traditional middle power into a great power.
Building Beyond the Great Powers: The New Geopolitics of Central Asia – The Soufan Center
