Turkmenistan

Airline Offices Under Siege

Corruption in Turkmenistan’s airline agencies is creating an artificial shortage of tickets, so that hundreds of passengers are forced to stand in queues all night, or else pay large bribes to secure a seat.

Talks Fail to Avert Kyrgyz Opposition Rally

Government concessions not enough to persuade opposition to call off planned rally.

Turkmen Teachers Sweep the Streets

The Soviet “subbotnik” and “voskresnik” – weekend days when people had to turn out for voluntary work – are alive and well in Turkmenistan. Nowadays, though, the practice has evolved into an absurd system where everyone seems to be doing someone else’s jo

Population Held Down by Total Surveillance

In Turkmenistan, anyone who uses the internet, travels abroad or does anything else that could be construed as suspicious is subject to surveillance by the ever-watchful National Security Ministry.

Classical Music Training Slashed

Although a decision to cut the number of musical schools and academies in Turkmenistan by more than half has been justified by talk of a funding shortfall, the move is being seen as part of an official policy of eradicating the Soviet past, in which young

Turkmenistan's Unloved Legal Profession

A recent survey showing that very few law students in Turkmenistan plan to work as lawyers has only underlined the difficult situation facing the profession.

Tajik Election Campaign Falls Flat

Behind the scenes there is talk of plots to split the opposition and curb the media, but on the surface the campaign is muted.

Media Freedom Remains a Closed Book

World Turkmen Event for Loyalists Only

Tbilisi Fears Russian Recognition of Rebel Regions

Speculation mounts that Moscow may punish Georgia over spy scandal by recognising Abkhazia and South Ossetia.