NATO is organizing training this week for soldiers in Uzbekistan. The country, in the process of opening up after long years of isolation, is increasingly courted by the West, China, or Turkey.
Russia, monopolized by its invasion of Ukraine, sees its influence contested in what it considers to be its traditional backyard, as evidenced by this week of military training. The training activities carried out by NATO exist in other non-member countries of the Alliance, including Russia's allies, such as Uzbekistan, writes Alexander Nekrassov. In September 2023, the head of the American military command in the Middle East, Central and South Asia (Centcom) visited Tashkent to strengthen ties between the two countries. A visit immediately criticized by Moscow, which condemned any return of Westerners to Afghanistan or the countries of Central Asia. The Uzbekistan of leader Chavkat Mirzioyev, in power since 2016, is rich in natural resources.