Eurasianet

Electricity exports; crowd control outside food shops; and despite denials, COVID strikes. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

An unacknowledged second wave, secret police at funerals, and congratulations from the Taliban. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

5,000 people are taking part in the trials.

Travel bans, dams and Russian fans. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

Ecological conservation is a matter of pride in Turkmenistan. But a disconnect between rhetoric and reality is a hallmark of the Berdymukhamedov era.

5,000 volunteers have been mobilized for the phase-three trial.

Officials say Uzbekistan plans to produce its own vaccine when tests are done.

Beijing is eager to show solidarity as the coronavirus pandemic rumbles on.

For all the bombastic propaganda, there is no papering over the fact that Turkmenistan is still clearly struggling with a COVID-19 problem.

A secret delivery of antibody tests, more warnings about "dust," and why cronyism will comfortably outlive COVID-19. This and more in our weekly briefing.

Constitutional shenanigans, food shortages and evacuations: Our weekly Turkmenistan bulletin.

Many in the territory blame the rising numbers of coronavirus cases on the authorities’ decision to open up to Russian tourists.

Between the unacknowledged pandemic and economic devastation, protestors said the situation at home is so dire that inaction seems worse than government reprisals.

With boasts of prosperity looking threadbare, more emphasis is being placed on the ineffable and much cheaper consolations of spirituality.

The territory's public health officials have warned against opening up to tourism, and the arrival of tourists has coincided with a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases.