Bangladesh, Oct. 17 -- Central Asia is no longer a distant geopolitical crossroads that Washington can afford to treat as a secondary priority. As competition among major powers intensifies, the region's energy resources, critical minerals, transport corridors and strategic geography are becoming increasingly important. If the United States wants to protect its economic and geopolitical interests across Eurasia, it must turn diplomatic engagement with Central Asia into a sustained, long-term commitment.

The upcoming meeting between the United States and the five Central Asian republics-Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan-under the C5+1 framework presents an important opportunity to advance that objective. US ...