Eurasianet

People in Turkmenistan are coming to terms with the new reality of utility bills and continue to cope with the ever-present strain of price rises and shortages.

The president has made a major concession to reality by acknowledging he is aging. As for the rest, business as usual.

The Russian telecom company believes its troubles in Turkmenistan may have cost it around $750 million.

The country is second in the world in bitcoin production. Alongside major manufacturers a cottage industry of small operators is flourishing.

Our managing editor recaps the top stories of the year.

There is no obvious reason to buy into Tojiksodirotbank, which is weighed down by crushing liabilities. So who are these mysterious Saudi and Chinese investors?

A near total bailout of delinquent loans brings relief to many Georgians, in spite of criticisms that it was a vote-buying scheme.

Ashgabat imports cows from Europe but cannot sort rail trade with neighboring Iran.

President Berdymukhamedov has blamed industry woes on corruption.

Two out of three mobile service providers are part state-controlled.

The de facto authorities are trying to regulate currency mining so that it doesn’t break the territory’s rickety power system this winter.

While Turkmenistan chivvies along its partners in the pipeline project, there are indications it has been less than forthright about its own progress.

Budget planning reveals the depths of Turkmenistan’s economic crisis.

No Turkmen gas has been shipped to Europe since 2016.

The mobile telecommunications company is one of the few not somehow controlled by the ruling family.

Poor urban planning has exacerbated the smog from coal stoves and car exhaust.

The PM is talking about renegotiating a deal reached only last year.

The loss of the market threatens to suck considerable economic vitality out of Kazakhstan’s business capital.

Breadlines are making a mockery of the government's boasts of plenty.

Nine years after Tajiks were strong-armed into buying shares in a hydropower plant, it has begun producing power. Will they see dividends? Or will the electricity simply benefit the elite?

Compared to other emerging-market currencies facing turmoil, Azerbaijan’s hasn’t budged despite a government promise to let it float.

Getting Kyrgyz-grown quinoa onto the international market is proving tough.

President rediscovers the joy of libraries as talk of the Trans-Caspian pipeline heats up.

Locals need the jobs; environmentalists and transparency activists are aghast.

Azerbaijan is in the most complicated position, as it has plans to jointly develop shared oil and gas fields with Iran.