Rubio Is Going to Central Asia on Purpose. America Should Compete Where China Already Is
At Andrews on Oct. 17, Secretary Rubio said his trip covers all five Central Asian countries because strategic relationships cannot wait for a crisis. In our view, the C5 heartland is where America either shows up — or watches Beijing and Moscow write the rules.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | By Clara Hughes, Chief Opinion Editor | October 18, 2026 | 7-min read Great powers that only visit burning buildings eventually own fewer buildings. On Oct. 17 at Joint Base Andrews, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters he was headed not only to Uzbekistan but to meet leaders and foreign ministers from all five Central Asian countries — because strategic relationships atrophy when secretaries only chase crises and conferences [1]. In our view, that is the right theory of the job. The Eurasian heartland is not a sideshow. It is where energy, rare minerals, transit routes and Russian and Chinese influence intersect. Key Takeaways Rubio said the timing worked to gather all five Central Asian leaders and foreign ministers, not only Uzbekistan [1]. He argued that "strategic business" suffers when travel is limited to crises and conferences, and that America must also build relationships with countries it wants as partners [1]. He linked the swing to recent relationship-building trips to Greece and Latin America [1]. The same gaggle covered Ukraine connectivity, Russia sanctions waivers,