Turkmenistan Hopes New Highway Will Help Diversify Economy
Turkmenistan has begun construction on a multibillion-dollar, cross-country highway project that the gas-rich, largely isolated Central Asian state hopes will help generate more regional trade.
Central Asia Should Protect Rights As It Seeks Investment, HRW Urges
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is urging Central Asian leaders who are seeking greater regional cooperation and international investment in an effort to boost economic growth to place human rights at the top of their agenda.
Is Turkmenistan Being Pulled Into Russia's Orbit?
Russia looks to be regaining influence in an especially vulnerable Turkmenistan, whether Ashgabat likes it or not.
Twenty Families To A Room As Afghans Flee Fighting
Thousands of families, who have fled fighting in Afghanistan's northern province of Faryab, are struggling to find shelter in the neighboring province of Jawzjan. They say up to 20 families are being squeezed into each classroom at a local school.
Turkmenistan Said To Register Reservists As Tension Mounts On Afghan Border
Turkmen authorities have launched a campaign to register army reservists -- nearly all men under 50 -- amid concerns about militants in neighboring Afghanistan, according to a Defense Ministry source and accounts by citizens.
Turkmen President Hands Son Regional Deputy Governor's Post
Turkmenistan's authoritarian President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has appointed his son as deputy governor of the south-central region of Ahal.
Turkmenistan Enacts Strict Law On Alcohol Sales
A new law has gone into effect in Turkmenistan that will sharply limit alcohol sales in the tightly controlled Central Asian country.
Emperor Nero Of Turkmenistan Sees Out 2018
Turkmenistan's president was all smiles when he appeared on state television ahead of the New Year to perform a dreamy new song. But for the country's citizens, there is not much reason for happiness these days. (The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL.)
Majlis Podcast: An Eventful Year In Central Asia (And What It Means For 2019)
The new-look Uzbekistan under President Shavkat Mirziyoev continued to be the dominant story coming out of Central Asia in 2018 and Tashkent's new political posturing has also sent ripples throughout the region.
Turkmenistan Marks International Day Of Neutrality With Prisoner Amnesty
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has pardoned 796 prisoners to mark the International Day of Neutrality marked on December 12, state media report.
Pakistan Says U.S. Rebuke On Religious Freedoms 'Politically Motivated'
Pakistan has criticized a U.S. decision to place Pakistan on its blacklist of countries that violate religious freedom, calling the move "unilateral and politically motivated."
Analysis: TAPI And Other Turkmen Tales
Turkmenistan has been pushing the TAPI gas pipeline for years and says it went ahead with plans to build its section of the pipeline. Or did it?