Scramble for the ‘Stans’: US, China, Russia Compete for Central Asia’s Riches

A modern “scramble for the Stans” is underway, with the United States being the latest power to schedule a summit with the region’s five leaders on November 6.
This scramble is driven by the region’s vast riches. The five nations—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—hold significant deposits of natural resources, including rare earths.
The US summit, confirmed by Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, follows similar meetings hosted by China, Russia, and the EU. Each power is vying for a stronger economic and diplomatic foothold.
The war in Ukraine has created a power vacuum, as Russia’s traditional dominance is questioned, accelerating this competition.
The Central Asian leaders are leveraging this intense interest to attract investment and diversify their foreign policy, aiming to revive their region as a global logistics hub.