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Has Trump Remade America's Priorities in Central Asia?

Navbahor Imamova

   Successive American administrations have issued "strategies" for
   Central Asia. And when the [1]Trump administration rolled out its own
   in February, its priorities resembled those of administrations past
   --buttressing sovereignty, fighting terrorism, cooperating on
   Afghanistan, promoting regional connectivity, supporting reforms and
   human rights, and enabling U.S. investment and development assistance.

   But Lisa Curtis, President Donald Trump's adviser for South and Central
   Asia, argues that "important shifts in the last several years led us to
   update our approach" as the administration laid out its strategy for
   the next five years.

   Alice Wells, formerly the State Department's top official for the
   region, emphasized that any U.S. strategy must be based on a
   partnership with the region's own governments. She described enduring
   support for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as "the
   holy trinity" of U.S. policy.

   But U.S. officials say Trump's strategy also reflects changed dynamics
   --especially the diminished American presence in Afghanistan --and
   seeks to counter Russian and Chinese overtures toward Afghanistan's
   northern neighbors.

   China's influence

   When Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Central Asia in February,
   he emphasized the threat of growing Chinese influence while lauding
   Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan for their commitments to systemic change,
   despite their persistent lack of democratic governance.

References

   1. https://www.state.gov/united-states-strategy-for-central-asia-2019-2025-advancing-sovereignty-and-economic-prosperity/

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