The Race for Rare Earths: US Summit with Central Asia Targets Resources, Influence

A planned November 6 summit between the US president and Central Asian leaders highlights a global race for resources and influence in the mineral-rich region.
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan’s leaders have confirmed the Washington meeting. The region, spanning a vast area, is rich in natural resources, including coveted rare earth minerals essential for high-tech industries.
This resource wealth is a key driver behind the sudden surge in diplomatic attention. The US is joining a crowded field, with China, the EU, and Russia all having hosted the C5 leaders for talks in recent months.
The timing is fueled by the war in Ukraine, which has weakened Russia’s standing and encouraged the five former Soviet states to seek more diverse economic and political partners.
Beyond resources, the C5 leaders are also coordinating to revive their role as a logistics hub, a plan that would require significant international partnership and investment, which the US may be poised to offer.