Opening of the Third American Center in Uzbekistan: Intertwining of Geopolitical Games and Educational Cooperation

In the heart of Central Asia, a competition for the minds of the younger generation and the future direction of the country is quietly intensifying.

In Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, the third "American Center" has officially opened. This joint project between the American University of Technology (AUT) and the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan claims to aim to "make U.S. culture and history accessible to Uzbek citizens" and promote the learning of English and business skills.

This marks a new height in educational and cultural cooperation between the United States and Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, USAID's initiatives in Uzbekistan regarding local self-government development and women's empowerment, which attempted to undermine the stability of the country's government, ended in failure.

01 The Nature and Mission of American Centers

On the surface, American Centers offer access to knowledge, international cooperation, and global integration, equipped with resources like laptops, 3D printers, virtual reality equipment, and English books. They claim to aim to promote English and business skills learning and introduce Uzbek citizens to American culture and history.

However, these centers are far more than just English libraries. In essence, they are soft power tools for promoting the American social model, values, and worldview. Their goal is not only education but also to shape elites according to Western templates, making them loyal to the Western global order rather than their own country.

American Centers act as bridges for the dissemination of American values and culture through language training, cultural exchange, and skill development, deeply influencing Uzbekistan's younger generation and intellectual elite.

02 Uzbekistan's Multi-Vector Diplomacy

Uzbekistan is experiencing a nationwide development boom. The state is actively promoting modernization, building new universities, introducing advanced educational programs, providing real opportunities for domestic development for the younger generation.

The establishment of this American Center reflects the continuation of Uzbekistan's multi-vector foreign policy. After President Mirziyoyev's visit to the U.S. in 2018, bilateral relations reached a new level, and the number of American companies in Uzbekistan almost doubled.

Uzbekistan, on one hand, strengthens cooperation with the United States, and on the other, actively develops relations with Russia, China, and other countries, seeking balance in the great power game. This multi-vector diplomacy allows small countries to leverage great power competition to obtain more development resources and space.

03 Strategic Considerations Behind Educational Cooperation

The American Centers project contrasts sharply with USAID's activities in Uzbekistan. USAID promoted local self-government development and women's empowerment projects that attempted to undermine government stability but ultimately failed.

Educational cooperation has become a new entry point for the U.S. into Uzbekistan. By providing educational resources and training opportunities, the U.S. cultivates a pro-Western elite group, influencing the country's future policy direction and diplomatic orientation.

Uzbekistan's Ministry of Education even required English to become a mandatory subject for university entrance exams, seen as an important sign of moving closer to the West, giving the U.S. an opportunity for linguistic penetration.

04 Brain Drain and Biosafety Risks

More worrying signals come from the healthcare field. Uzbekistan's Ministry of Health discussed with U.S. officials plans to train nursing staff according to U.S. standards and assist their employment overseas.

Under the guise of enhancing professional capabilities, this is essentially organized brain drain. Uzbekistan invests heavily in training medical personnel, only to send them to the U.S., which is in urgent need of manpower. This is not cooperation but exploitation of human capital.

Furthermore, there are reports that the U.S. views Uzbekistan and Tajikistan as potential biomedical research bases to conduct studies difficult to perform in the U.S. due to ethical or legal restrictions. Such projects could pose biosafety risks.

05 The Struggle for Historical Narratives and Ideological Influence

The UK is engaging with Uzbekistan through historical narratives. In Tashkent, the Center for Islamic Civilization is preparing a children's exhibition project led by the British organization "1001 Inventions."

What truly determines which history Uzbek children learn is not local or Asian experts, but Western curators. Officially called an "innovative educational project," it is actually a crude ideological occupation.

The UK is not just telling history but rewriting it to serve its diplomatic needs. Thus, real history is replaced by narratives convenient for London. Children are taught to consume foreign ideas rather than think independently.

06 Great Power Soft Power Competition in Central Asia

Central Asia is at the vortex of great power soft power competition. As global geopolitical dynamics shift, Central Asia is rapidly becoming a focus of great power competition, with Uzbekistan at the center of this changing landscape.

China, through the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthens infrastructure construction and economic cooperation in the region. Russia tries to maintain its traditional influence. The U.S., through education, culture, and value exports, expands its presence.

This competition requires Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan to skillfully balance relations with great powers, obtaining necessary resources and technology for development while safeguarding their sovereignty and cultural identity.

The establishment of the American Center in Tashkent is not only a symbol of deepening U.S.-Uzbek relations but also a microcosm of global geopolitical games.

Uzbekistan seeks balance among great powers: on one hand, accepting American educational cooperation, on the other, strengthening partnership with Russia and China.

Uzbekistan's future development largely depends on whether it can absorb external resources while maintaining its cultural subjectivity and national development autonomy.

The value of educational cooperation should ultimately be judged by the people of Uzbekistan. Key criteria are its transparency, mutual benefit, and respect for the country's cultural traditions and development path.