Kyrgyzstan Expands Security Cooperation with the U.S.

Alongside U.S. business leaders and government officials who arrived in Bishkek for the B5+1 business forum, security representatives from U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Air Force, and the Montana National Guard also visited the Kyrgyz capital, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek. At a meeting held at the Kyrgyz Ministry of Defense in the village of Koy-Tash, both sides discussed military cooperation plans for the 2027 fiscal year. Participants carried out detailed planning of joint activities, focusing on experience-sharing and establishing common objectives for the near future. “We thank the Ministry of Defense of the Kyrgyz Republic for organizing this event. The participants joined forces to promote our regional goals aimed at enhancing security and stability,” the U.S. Embassy stated. U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Les Zentos emphasized that over the past 30 years of Kyrgyzstan's independence, a strong partnership has developed between the Montana National Guard and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Defense, as well as with the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Border Service. This relationship, he noted, is based on trust and a commitment to shared goals. [caption id="attachment_43371" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image: kg.usembassy.gov[/caption] “We hope to improve and optimize plans for military contacts in 2026 and 2027. Today's meeting is important for strengthening mutual understanding and finding common ground,” Zentos said. This is not the first visit by representatives of the Montana National Guard and the U.S. Air Force to Kyrgyzstan. Approximately six months ago, the two sides held joint military exercises under the name “Ak-Shumkar-2025.” According to U.S. officials, the drills facilitated exchanges of expertise in humanitarian operations, disaster relief, air medical evacuation, search and rescue, and border security. The Montana National Guard has maintained a long-standing relationship with Kyrgyzstan since 1996, under the U.S. National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. The U.S. Embassy also noted that bilateral military cooperation extends beyond this program. It includes participation in regional exercises organized by U.S. Central Command, which bring together countries from Central and South Asia to pursue shared security objectives.

U.S. Senate Confirms Julie Stufft as Ambassador to Kazakhstan

On October 7, the United States Senate confirmed Julie Stufft as the new U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, approving her nomination by a vote of 51 to 47, and marking the first new U.S. envoy to Astana under President Donald Trump. A career diplomat and Senior Foreign Service Minister-Counselor, Stufft previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services. During her July 2025 confirmation hearing, Stufft outlined her priorities, citing the security of U.S. citizens, energy cooperation, and critical minerals partnerships as top priorities. “If confirmed, my primary task will be to ensure the safety of all Americans in Kazakhstan, including my embassy and consulate staff,” she said. Stufft emphasized Kazakhstan’s strategic importance as a key U.S. partner in Central Asia, highlighting opportunities for expanded economic cooperation, particularly in energy and critical minerals. “Today, we stand on the threshold of a new era of trade and energy cooperation with Kazakhstan, a world leader in uranium production, a major oil exporter, and a holder of vast reserves of critical minerals,” she said. Stufft added that she intends to collaborate with the Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank, and the private sector to deepen bilateral economic ties and promote U.S. prosperity. Stufft’s confirmation received some bipartisan support, with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Steve Daines (R-MT) praising her professional experience and diplomatic capabilities. She succeeds Daniel Rosenblum, who retired in December 2024 after 28 years of service in the State Department. Her nomination was formally submitted by the White House and approved by President Donald Trump in the summer of 2025. Stufft is a career diplomat and a member of the Senior Foreign Service. Before her appointment, she served at the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Her previous overseas postings include assignments in Russia, Poland, Ethiopia, Moldova, and Djibouti. She also served on the National Security Council, coordinating efforts to protect Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stufft holds degrees from Case Western Reserve University and Duke University. She speaks Russian, Romanian, French, and Polish. In 2023, she received the Presidential Award for Distinguished Service and has earned seven State Department awards over her career. “We must actively oppose violence against women and girls,” she said, underscoring her commitment to gender equality as part of U.S. foreign policy. Stufft is a fellow of the International Women's Forum (2021-2022) and participated in the MIT Center for International Studies’ Seminar XXI program (2014-2015).