Rubio Visits Central Asia as Other US Officials Tackle Global Crises

Secretary of State Marco Rubio travels to Uzbekistan on Sunday for a C5+1 meeting with Central Asian leaders, a region far from active US foreign policy crises like the Iran war and Saudi-Houthi conflict. The trip highlights his focus on areas outside major news cycles. Rubio will meet leaders from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in Samarkand. The visit follows President Trump's November White House summit with C5 leaders and his September UN meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Over 200 business executives will accompany Rubio. The trip occurs amid questions about US sanctions enforcement on Russia, as Trump recently waived tariff provisions on Russian crude buyers like Kazakhstan. Rubio will visit India afterward, where a potential trade deal may be announced. Central Asian nations may also discuss joining the Abraham Accords.