Today, with combat operations in Afghanistan winding down, U.S. policy toward the states of Central Asia is transitioning to a new era. The United States now has an opportunity to refashion its approach to the region. In doing so, it should capitalize on trends already underway, in particular the expansion of trade and transit linkages, to help integrate Central Asia more firmly into the global economy, while also working to overcome tensions both within the region itself and among the major neighboring powers with interests in Central Asia. Central Asia in a Reconnecting Eurasia: Kazakhstan's Evolving Foreign Economic and Security Interests, part of a five-volume series, examines the full scope of U.S. national interests in Kazakhstan and puts forward the broad outlines of a strategy for U.S. engagement over the coming years.

Andrew C. Kuchins is a senior fellow and director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at CSIS. Jeffrey Mankoff is a fellow and deputy director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at CSIS. Oliver Backes is a research assistant with the Russia and Eurasia Program at CSIS.