Turkmenistan is eager to gin up some good vibes as another year of shortages and economic stagnation draws to a close. But even when wares appear in the market, the problem is finding cash.
The president visits Italy, a disappeared gay doctor reemerges with a suspicious denial, and officials say the cotton harvest was perfect. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan bulletin.
Turkmenistan is an inveterate foe of open internet. And it has reportedly made lavish investments in ensuring that its people cannot freely access which websites they want.
The president regularly casts blame for Turkmenistan’s troubles on his cabinet of lickspittle loyalists. Public arrests like this week's, however, are rare.
After weeks of rumors that the president had died, state television packed its evening news with evidence that the president is not just alive, but positively brimming with energy.
The mere speculation of the president’s death has arguably generated more attention for Turkmenistan than any sports event or international conference ever did.