The scale of the country's methane emissions is becoming a major embarrassment, but the government seems unwilling to do anything about it. This and more in this week's Akhal-Teke bulletin.
Officials are interested in renewables on paper, but there is little evidence Ashgabat is committed to minimizing the environmental damage it is causing. Our weekly briefing.
Alexander Zhadan served as a gatekeeper and provided counsel, all while acquiescing to the crackpot megalomania that gripped both the presidents he served. Our weekly briefing.
Election choreography, backwards reasoning, and the government tries to justify wasting billions on empty megaresorts. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.
While the country's authoritarian rulers are utterly indifferent to political freedoms, how the investment regime is perceived is another matter. Our weekly Turkmenistan 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.