Turkmenistan

Washington has “surrendered” in the Central Asia battle for influence, says ex-ambassador

bne IntelliNews September 18, 2025

Russia and China now dominate narrative across region, Daniel N. Rosenblum tells students at Yale. If US cuts itself off from the world, “we will ultimately be less secure and less prosperous,” he warns.

“They are bankrupting hope in this country” – Imamoglu issues warning ahead of fateful day for Turkish democracy

bne IntelliNews September 14, 2025

“I’m so free in my 12-square-metre cell that it would make those in their palaces burst with envy,” he says ahead of big protest in Ankara.

Central Asia, India see untapped trade potential but face connectivity hurdles

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow September 10, 2025

Joint report by Eurasian Development Bank and India Exim Bank reveals significant potential for mutual trade and investment held back by logistical bottlenecks.

COMMENT: Need and loathing in Russia – unpacking the labour migration paradox

Katherine Spencer September 10, 2025

Central Asian guest workers face growing hardship.

Kazakhstan calls for urgent international action on rapid shallowing of Caspian Sea

bne IntelliNews September 9, 2025

Could plan to connect the Caspian and Black Seas with a tunnel or canal come to the fore?

Central Asia and Afghanistan heading for “confrontation” over water-thirsty canal, warns analyst

bne IntelliNews September 5, 2025

Minimal progress seen in dealing with rightful Taliban claim to share of Amu Darya border river. Region’s water security dilemma worsening.

Tajikistan’s glaciers are disappearing

bne IntelliNews September 4, 2025

Tajikistan’s glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate, with over 1,000 already gone completely and dozens more under threat, according to a new Atlas of Environmental Change published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Snowfall shortages destabilising some of world’s last resilient glaciers, expedition in Tajikistan shows

bne IntelliNews September 3, 2025

Scientific team unable to yet say whether the “water towers” have reached “point of no return”.

PANNIER: Uzbekistan, the population power of Central Asia

Bruce Pannier September 2, 2025

In around 10 years, country could boast as many as 50mn inhabitants. By the end of 2026, it could already overtake Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan combined for people.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is coming of age

Ben Aris in Berlin September 1, 2025

More than two and half decades after it was founded as a regional security organization to secure porous borders in the depths of Central Asia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is coming of age as it expands its reach and agenda.

Migrants in Moscow spooked by government order to download geolocation app by Sept 1

bne IntelliNews August 28, 2025

“Amina” surveillance will inform interior ministry of guest workers’ exact whereabouts.

World Bank seems to be having second thoughts about Tajikistan’s Rogun Dam

Eurasianet August 26, 2025

Ball now in Dushanbe’s court to justify high cost.

Turkey breaks ground on its section of the TRIPP rail corridor

Eurasianet August 26, 2025

Turkish project would help make TRIPP the go-to route for Middle Corridor freight.

Central Asian states stepping up efforts to tackle water-related challenges

Eurasianet August 25, 2025

An increasing amount of time and resources is being devoted to averting a crisis.

Mapping global drought risk - Statista

Anna Fleck for Statista August 24, 2025

By 2050, more than 1.6bn people, including almost 20% of the African population, will be exposed to severe and extreme droughts, if a pessimistic scenario plays out, according to a report by INFORM Climate Change.

Uzbekistan joins Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan in push for expanded trade and transit corridors

Mokhi Sultanova in Tashkent August 24, 2025

Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have adopted a joint statement and signed agreements on transport, logistics, shipbuilding, civil aviation and commodity exchange cooperation during a trilateral summit.

The silent crisis: Abortion and reproductive rights in Turkmenistan

Aigerim Turgunbaeva for Eurasianet August 7, 2025

Turkmen women today are worse off than their grandmothers.

Iran to open new railway routes to Central Asia

bnm Tehran bureau July 31, 2025

Iran will open new railway routes to Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, as well as Afghanistan and Turkey.

EXPLAINER: The high stakes behind the Zangezur Corridor

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow July 25, 2025

Proposed corridor linking Azerbaijan’s main territory with its Nakhchivan exclave across Armenia could slash transit times from Asia to Europe along the Middle Corridor but faces fierce opposition from Yerevan.

Breakthrough moment for Trans-Afghan Railway project hailed by Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan

bne IntelliNews July 22, 2025

Three countries agree to prepare feasibility study. Russia too would benefit from infrastructure linking Central Asia to Arabian Sea coast.

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