18.08.2019

Sanket Sudhir Kulkarni

The most optimal strategy for sustaining Indo-Turkmen energy ties

It would be worthwhile to realistically assess the geopolitical and commercial dynamics in Afghanistan and Pakistan before moving further with any additional construction activities.

The intervening time could be utilised to deliberate on carrying out technical and commercial feasibility studies, identifying logistical challenges and opportunities, specific routes, the quantum of the infrastructures required, possible funding sources, etc. for energy trade through land-sea route at an opportune moment in the future. For Turkmenistan, the suggestion of a land-sea option would entail waiting for the geopolitical situation in the region to evolve more favourably. Photo: Getty Images

Since the very inception of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline… >> подробнее

17.08.2019

Leonid Bershidsky

John Oliver’s jokes aside, the country’s silly Guinness records are evidence that it isn’t seen as toxic, though it should be.

The latest episode of British comedian John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight” show, watched more than 3.6 million times on YouTube in addition to its usual audience of several million on HBO, drew Western watchers’ attention to one of the world’s most secretive countries, Turkmenistan — the only nation that ranks below North Korea on the Reporters Without Borders 2019 press freedom list.

Oliver found it especially worthy of ridicule that Turkmenistan’s leader, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, keeps registering one fatuous Guinness World Record after another. Oliver even tried… >> подробнее

17.08.2019

Akhal-Teke

The inaugural Caspian Economic Forum, which was held in the hyper-developed but under-visited Awaza tourist zone, was high on expressions of intent but low on firm outcomes.

The president’s flamboyant return to state television after rumors of his early demise helped bring heaps of attention to his country. This came just in time for Turkmenistan’s biggest event this year – the inaugural Caspian Economic Forum.

The kind of attention garnered, however, strains the old line about how “there is no such thing as bad publicity.” Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is now vying with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un (not to speak of U.S. President Donald Trump) for the title of most ridiculed world leader. Riffing on the president’s recent summer… >> подробнее