Position on both sides of the Silk Route (4)
I believe the answer is:
site
'the silk route' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'position on both sides' is the wordplay.
'position' becomes 'situate' (situating is a kind of positioning).
'on both sides' suggests removing the centre (the left and right sides of the word are used).
'situate' with its centre taken out is 'SITE'.
'of' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for site that I've seen before include "Locate - place" , "Where something is located" , "Spot, location" , "Designated place" , "Building plot" .)