China and Russia are by far the most influential external powers in Central Asia, but their influence takes different forms.
China is the undisputed economic leader in the region, while Russia remains the primary political partner. Moscow's influence has suffered in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, but its links with regional elites are proving deep and durable. While overt Chinese-Russian competition has yet to emerge in the region, the trend lines point in that direction.
Regional states, especially Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, are using increased great power interest in their region to assert their own interests.