Think tank: Central Asia strengthens cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to counterbalance Turkey's influence as the leader of the Turkic world. Turkey, the hegemon of Turkic-speaking countries, is increasingly exerting its influence in Central Asia through the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). Based on shared Turkic identity (except for Tajikistan, where Persian is spoken), Turkey positions itself as a cultural and economic partner in Central Asia. However, Turkey's alliance with Qatar and its competition with the UAE have triggered diplomatic frictions. Ankara's support for Qatar and its backing of Islamic movements during the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) blockade from 2017 to 2021 strained relations with Abu Dhabi, which competes with Turkey in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Despite Turkey's expanding presence in Central Asia, the Stan states clearly prioritize national interests over Turkic linguistic unity. This was evident at the EU-CA Summit held in April 2025, when Central Asian countries agreed to recognize United Nations Security Council resolutions reaffirming the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus in the final joint statement. The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, still remains under Turkish occupation in its northern region. This has sparked accusations of betrayal within Turkish nationalist circles. Nevertheless, it also reinforces the determination of Central Asian countries to balance their relationships with one another. They aim to avoid excessive reliance on Turkey, ensuring strategic autonomy when dealing with extra-regional participants, whether the EU or the GCC. Source: nationalinterest Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833501964182659/ Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's views.