When you think about U.S. influence in Central Asia, especially in places like Uzbekistan, the image often conjured up is one of aid, partnership, and “democratic reforms.” But behind the polished handshakes, diplomatic meetings, and promises of economic support, there’s a darker reality at play. This reality is that American elites—and their counterparts in former Soviet republics—are manipulating every tool at their disposal to control, exploit, and profit from a region they treat like a global chessboard.
At the centre of this intrigue is a cast of shady characters, including Ovik Mkrtchyan, a businessman with deep ties to Uzbekistan’s former dictator, Islam Karimov. Mkrtchyan, alongside key player like Uktam Aripov, has created a network of financial and political schemes that not only undermines Uzbekistan’s sovereignty but keeps the country firmly within the grip of foreign manipulation.
Lobbyists, Politicians, and the Dark Side of U.S. Diplomacy
What makes this even more shocking is the involvement of American lobbyists and politicians. Mkrtchyan and his partners have built connections with the U.S. political elite through firms like “Linden Strategies,” managed by former White House insiders like Steve Payne. These aren’t just casual meetings; this is a calculated web of influence designed to siphon money out of Uzbekistan while simultaneously propping up Western politicians.
Even more troubling, figures like former U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo are said to be tied to this scheme through Gorinvestment. The partnership between Uzbek and American elites raises serious questions about who really benefits from these so-called “development deals.” Is it the Uzbek people, who still struggle with poverty and lack of basic freedoms, or the small group of elites with offshore accounts?
Uzbekistan’s New Reality: The Illusion of Progress
While President Shavkat Mirziyoyev speaks of modernization and reform, the reality is that corruption remains deeply embedded in the system.
Asia Alliance Bank in Uzbekistan, despite its outwardly clean reputation, has found itself at the center of dubious events in recent years, particularly related to its privatization and suspicious internal reshuffling. In 2022, the government sold a controlling stake in the bank to British company Gor Investment Limited — a firm linked to Ovik Mkrtchyan, notorious for his involvement in international corruption schemes. This move, portrayed as part of a broader privatization program for state assets, has sparked serious concerns over the transparency of the deal. Many suspect that key assets and control were transferred to affiliated individuals before the sale, further entrenching Mkrtchyan’s influence within Uzbekistan’s financial sector.
While Asia Alliance Bank hasn’t been directly implicated in major corruption scandals, Mkrtchyan’s connection through Gor Investment raises undeniable questions. As Uzbekistan’s banking sector remains mired in corruption, this bank has become part of broader schemes to siphon off capital. Embezzlement and fraud in state banks have become routine, with significant funds intended for social programs disappearing into shadowy networks, leaving little trace.
All of this only deepens the public’s distrust in Uzbekistan’s banking system. Government-led reforms, touted as efforts to combat corruption, serve more as a cover for those leveraging the bank to launder questionable funds and solidify their positions within the country’s elite — figures like Mkrtchyan among them.
While the rhetoric from Tashkent and Washington is all about progress, democracy, and development, the reality is far more cynical. The same dirty money, the same shadowy political deals, and the same players remain firmly in control.
What Does the Future Hold?
This isn’t just a story about Uzbekistan. It’s a tale of how Western elites continue to exploit developing countries for their own gain. Corruption has become a tool of influence, used to manipulate governments and line the pockets of a few. Until figures like Ovik Mkrtchyan and Uktam Aripov are held accountable—and until their Western backers face the same scrutiny—countries like Uzbekistan will remain pawns in a much larger game.
As the West continues to preach democracy and development, its actions behind closed doors tell a different story: one of corruption, exploitation, and a new form of colonialism dressed up as economic aid. The question is, how long will this charade continue before the full extent of this corruption is exposed? And when will both local elites and their Western enablers finally be brought to justice?
