Central Asia 2026: The New Heartland – Security for Integration and Strategic Autonomy
Central Asia is undergoing profound geopolitical and economic changes in 2026. Against the backdrop of Russia's shrinking influence and major powers competing to participate, the strategic autonomy of the five Central Asian countries has significantly increased, and regional integration has been deepened through mechanisms such as the summit of heads of state. Iconic projects such as the China Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Railway have officially launched, with core goals including eliminating trade barriers and strengthening cross-border transportation. However, the regional security situation appears stable on the surface, but in reality, there are hidden risks of organized riots and terrorism. This makes the protection of emerging cross-border logistics corridors, critical infrastructure, and urban centers an urgent need to promote regional stability and prosperity.