Eurasianet

Out-of-touch elites, poor planning, and some signs of progress in regional trade. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

In our weekly briefing: Restrictions easing, COVID denialism persists, foreign suitors come visiting in hope of business, and the latest annual horse jamboree.

The billionaire had bought his stake only months ago from the president’s son-in-law.

Businesspeople worry that Kazakh reliance on Russian export routes is going to harm the economy.

The president-in-waiting plans to change nothing. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

Sanctions on Russia quickly impact its allies in Central Asia.

None could miss Beijing’s big moment.

Xi Jinping said trade has grown 25-fold over the last two decades.

As the president readies the public for yet another year of shortages, he has taken money from an economic stabilization fund to breed more horses. This and more in our weekly briefing.

In our weekly briefing: The Taliban visit Ashgabat, the dauphin is received by Uzbekistan’s president, and authorities tighten control after unrest in neighboring Kazakhstan.

Letters from Washington, cybersecurity cooperation with China, and negotiating with a bankrupt Taliban. This and more in our weekly briefing.

Salaries were always horribly low but living costs have soared since the pandemic began.

That sets them apart from Afghanistan’s other post-Soviet neighbor, Tajikistan.

In our weekly briefing: doing business with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. Plus, it’s reprimand season.

In recent years the Caucasus country has become a magnet for Iranian students, business owners, and dissidents. But now many report they’re not being allowed to enter.