The Next Target of the Abraham Accords: The American Move in Central Asia

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has departed for a visit to Uzbekistan, where he will meet with representatives of five Muslim countries in Central Asia, against the backdrop of U.S. efforts to expand the Abraham Accords to the region. The visit also focuses on strengthening economic ties and access to strategic natural resources.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has departed for a visit to Uzbekistan, where he will meet with leaders of five Muslim countries in Central Asia: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The visit takes place within the framework of the C5+1 forum, against the backdrop of U.S. efforts to expand the Abraham Accords with Israel to the region, following Kazakhstan's joining them last November. According to a report by Reuters news agency, Rubio will land in Samarkand and hold meetings with representatives of the countries. The visit also focuses on strengthening economic ties: more than 200 businesspeople are expected to accompany Rubio, and the administration attaches importance to access to rare mineral deposits and natural resources for technological and defense industries. The trip takes place against the backdrop of international crises involving the United States, including the war against Iran and the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. At this stage, no announcement has been made regarding the expected joining of another country to the accords.