Eurasianet

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.

Closing an exit route. Plus: solicitous Russians and electricity exports. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

Food subsidies to end, Russia seeks closer ties, and energy news. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

An energy watcher recalls how Europe’s fixation with market powers drove it into the arms of a Russian monopolist.

Obsessing about sports, building bridges, and speaking up for China. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

Ashgabat wants Afghanistan to become part of the global economy. It’s not so keen to bankroll integration, however.

Far from Turkmen people acquiring new rights, there is every reason to believe things are poised to get worse on at least one front, if that is even possible. Our weekly briefing.

The five presidents could not seal a friendship deal or agree on which challenges face their region.

The gathering had been intended to create regional solidarity in the face of overbearing pressure from China, Russia.

Turkmenistan is difficult to access, but it is a strategic location. In this week’s briefing we examine the assorted flavors of “north-south” corridor, trade with neighbors, and much more.

The memorandum is a win for Baku while committing it to do little.

Because official statistics are nonsense, we look to personnel reshuffles to understand where the government recognizes it is underperforming. Our weekly briefing.

The terror group behind growing carnage in the wretched country says anyone working with the Taliban is a target.

The announcement by Turkey appears to be response to increased interest from Europe in non-Russian sources of energy.

Turkmenistan wants to export gas to Europe without angering Russia. This and more in our weekly briefing.

This week will see a higher-than-usual level of attention paid to Turkmenistan, which is poised to host the heads of states of the five Caspian Sea states.

Expanding Ashgabat’s dependence on China, visiting Iran, and talking north-south transportation links. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

Uniting in paranoia with Russia, warming to Iran, and opening for business. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

The new president cozies up to Russia. He also attempts to address food insecurity by slashing food imports. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.