As the Trump administration begins to connect with Central Asia, Uzbekistan has expressed eagerness to expand its strategic partnership, highlighting that it is its “soliding” political dialogue on bilateral and regional issues and security cooperation The “solid connection” includes mississippi. National Guard.
The US recently returned seven of its seven black Hawk helicopters from Uzbekistan that Afghan military pilots flew away from the Taliban in 2021.
Within the previous month, this transfer and other bilateral exchange have reduced the role of Tashkent as the prominent partner of Washington in Central Asia, according to US officials. However, analysts look at the military relationship as a large transaction and shape by geo -political complications and regional stresses.
Talk among diplomats
In a phone conversation with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov on 21 February, US Secretary Marco Rubio rebuilt American support for the country’s freedom, sovereignty and regional integrity, according to the department spokesman Tammy Bruce.
He discussed a joint effort through the C5+1 diplomatic platform, launched between Washington and five Central Asian Republics almost a decade ago. The Trump administration is interested in using this platform, to support “a more peaceful and prosperous Central Asia”.
Sadov aims to expand the strategic partnership between our nations in all areas without an exception. Building strong bridges, trade in business communities without an exception. Increasing the volume of, increasing the amount of business in both directions, ensuring rich development Central Asia. ”
Cooperation with Pentagon, Relationship with Mississippi
Uzbek’s Ambassador Furkat Sidikov says that his country’s army stands shoulder to shoulder with the Mississippi National Guard, citing “joint exercises and pantagon-proposed professional exchanges”.
“We are a reliable partner of the United States in the region,” Sidikov said to the 31 January embassy, pointing to defense reforms and reforms in Uzbek army equipment.
Mississippi National Guard Adjutant General Major General Bobby Guin emphasized the incident that since 2012, more than 170 engagement facilities have been provided between the US and Uzbek soldiers, increasing disaster response and readiness.
“Commitment to Uzbekistan’s regional stability and anti -terrorism efforts and contribution to safety” demonstrates the power of its armed forced, Gin said.
Davis Floric, the principal director of the Pentagon acting for Eurasia, ie for participation in the reception, thanked Tashkent for “storage” to American aircraft and was working with the US to a mutually beneficial solution. He confirmed that seven Black Hawks were part of a fleet in Afghanistan, which according to several sources, including 24 helicopters, Themal MI -17 and UH -60, and 22 fixed -wing aircraft, most of which Uzbekistan last year Had transferred in
Another high-level Pentagon official, Rear Admiral Erin Osborne, while speaking at the same gathering, praised Uzbekistan as a “important ally”, which offered his airspace and an airport during the US military campaign in Afghanistan of. The Republic was part of the Northern Distribution Network of Pentagon, distributing non -intelligence items fighting the international alliance in the neighboring country.
Osborne said that the mutual trust and understanding “was reflected in the sharing of intelligence to combat the initiative of capacity and general threats.”
America, he said, is committed to working with Uzbekistan “to ensure its stability and fatal, as well as the stability and sobwing of the entire Central Asian region.”
Taliban and Afghanistan factors
Even though the transfer of Black Hawks back to the US was revealed in the embassy incident, but the Uzbek authorities are harassed about this cooperation to avoid any stress with the Taliban, which violated Afghanistan’s sovereignty Has chosen the handover as. The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense issued a statement that shown the transfer as “unacceptable” and demanded a return to the aircraft.
Eighteen American aircraft ended in Tajikistan in 2021, but Washington and Dushanbe have so far resolved the matter.
During the visit to the region in June 2022, US Central Command Commander General Michael Kurila said that the aircraft will not be returned to Afghanistan “because they are not related to the Taliban … We hope that some or all the aircraft handed over all the aircrafts. To the government.
Washington analysts see Uzbekistan as the most active American military partner in the region, compared with other republics activities in Central Asia, especially Kazakhstan with Arizona, Virginia with Tajikistan and Kyrgyneia Kazakhstan is. With Montana.
Nevertheless, they characterize tashing-washington safety relationships as more transactions than strategic.
The former American official with deep experience in Central Asia told VOA, “Want Uzbek training and equipment. What do we want from them? A reliable partner in the field.” The officer spoke on the condition of anonymity for professional reasons.
The US has trained Uzbek pilots to operate and maintain the transfer aircraft, but has continued the funding of the Congress – several million dollars – is important for continuous cooperation.
The former official said, “There will be questions from Congress.” “The primary justification so far is the thesis asset that will help the extremists of Afghanistan to counter.”
Megils, Tashkant experts support Uzbekistan’s cautious approach to the Taliban. As officials have said, Uzbekistan wants anyone who controls Afghanistan. Although it does not recognize the Taliban, the administration of President Shawkat Mirziov has seen stable diplomatic relations with Kabul, holds significant investment and business agreements with the country, and Afghans provide humanitarian assistance to the people. In the last summer, Uzbekistan opened a free economic zone in the city of Terms on the border with Afghanistan, inviting neighbors to promote entrepreneurship cooperation.
US interest and central asian security
The US maintains military cooperation agreements with each Central Asian Republic, is reviewed annually with plans and is subject to funding approval.
Despite efforts to share intelligence, there is no US-Uzbekistan overflight agreement. Tashkent does not allow its area to be used for attacks on neiighboring soil against terrorist goals.
The former US official said, “The Trump administration can question this question.” “This complicates the case for cooperation with Uzbekistan because they are located centrally, yet we should fly around them. It is difficult to justify what we are getting in return.”
Over the years, the US has supported the regional border security initiative.
“This is a big program,” the former American official said, but said: “How many terrorists have we stopped? How many terrorists have been interrupted, killed, or captured? Do we have those hard number? Establishment.”
