Rubio's Central Asia trip draws scrutiny as crises loom

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has departed on his 31st foreign trip, visiting Uzbekistan and India, amid criticism that he is avoiding pressing crises in the Middle East and Ukraine in favor of politically safer destinations. The trip aims to promote U.S. economic and security ties with Central and South Asia, but has only tangential links to the administration's main foreign policy dilemmas. Rubio defended the visit as important for building relationships, while the State Department insists he remains directly involved in behind-the-scenes discussions on all major issues. Critics, including former NATO ambassador Ivo Daalder, argue Rubio has largely avoided the capitals and negotiations that define the office, suggesting he may be calculating that his political future is best served by staying clear of difficult policies. Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau dismissed such criticism as typical of a failed foreign policy establishment.