Eurasianet

Israel is imminently poised to open a permanent mission in Ashgabat, 20 kilometers from the Iranian border. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

The teetering edifice of megalomania built around the Berdymukhamedov family should make it obvious how Turkmenistan is governed. Our weekly briefing.

Turkmenistan is looking to Gazprom to deliver new customers, at the risk of further eroding its independence. Our weekly briefing.

Tightening internet controls as families desperately try to reach loved ones in Turkey, bogus economic performance figures, and Berdymukhamedov the elder visits the Gulf. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

The son tries to escape his father’s shadow, costly breakdowns in gas exports, and Russia has been playing Turkmenistan for a fool. Our weekly briefing.

Moscow curries favor, neighbors seek more gas, and Turkmenistan’s colossal methane pollution could power Afghanistan at little cost many times over. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

The president’s authority now looks desperately weakened, which means that if anything should happen to his 65-year-old father, a crisis of legitimacy could ensue. Our weekly briefing.

It is so cold that Turkmenistan has suspended gas exports to Uzbekistan, Iran and even its most important customer, China. Our weekly briefing.

In a visit full of symbolism, Turkmenistan’s president won a lucrative promise from Xi Jinping. Our weekly briefing.

The former president ended 2022 in the spotlight: He got a new city named in his honor, his poem set to music by his grandson on state television, and compliments from Russia. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

A vaunted meeting to discuss shipping Turkmen gas to Turkey and Europe ended without a breakthrough. But Uzbekistan is buying. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

Turkmenistan reveals its closest partners as it prepares to host a gas-focused summit with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Plus, with the New Year approaching, it is time for bread and circus. Our weekly briefing.

Russia is proposing a major reconfiguration of the Central Asian gas market. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

The ruling tandem is evidently frustrated it cannot will a functioning economy into existence by diktat.

Turkmenistan is risking a reputation as a sanctions-buster. Our weekly briefing.

The president’s father (the former president) is stealing the show. Plus, the latest on efforts to get Turkmen gas to Europe. Our weekly briefing.

Turkmenistan’s new leader receives an American official while his father visits Putin. And Ashgabat doubles the number of blocked websites. Our weekly briefing.

Turkmenistan is finding new customers for its gas, while continuing to perform bizarre stunts for Guinness World Records. This and more in our weekly briefing.

Turkmenistan is trying to assume the role of energy supplier to Central Asia. Plus, showing off weapons while cash is tight. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

Women pay for the president’s conservative obsessions; Turkmenistan’s paranoia undermines its wish to be a transport hub; and the EU offers the methane polluter a chance to green its image. Our weekly briefing.

Ashgabat has been assiduously courted by Russia, but that doesn't mean it is not looking at other options.

Exiles mourn Turkish visa regime while Berdymukhamedov Sr. sniffs around Abe's funeral for business. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

Turkmenistan has traditionally fostered its closest security relationship with Russia. But it has found room to develop military ties with the U.S. and China. Our weekly briefing.

Is Turkmenistan preparing a city to name after the former president? Keeping out information and keeping in people. Our weekly briefing.

Relations with Russia and Uzbekistan. A new city rises in the desert. And the state struggles to measure its farmland. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.