Abstract: After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the emergence of a “geopolitical vacuum” in Central Asia attracted the attention of the United States. The unique geographical location, abundant resources and energy, special security situation, and diverse cultural forms of this region have prompted the United States to actively strengthen its interaction and connections with Central Asia. The United States began to provide assistance to Central Asia’s higher education through “soft power”after the output of “hard power” had little effect, attempting to transform Central Asia with the Western political systems and economic models to achieve its global strategy.

Key words: United States, higher education in Central Asia, assistance, political motivation