Country
Turkmenistan
What Did Central Asia’s Leaders Have to Say to the UN General Assembly?
By Catherine Putz
The five leaders foregrounded a range of issues, from the pressing challenge of COVID-19 to vague promises of political reform.
Pandemic Slows Central Asia’s Gas Exports to China
By Umida Hashimova
The economic slowdown in China, a result of the coronavirus pandemic, has affected the gas trade.
Death and Denial in Turkmenistan
By Catherine Putz
The Turkmen government’s inconsistent messaging about the nature and nearness of the COVID-19 pandemic threat has doomed its citizens to confusion and death.
COVID-19, Hot Winds, or Dust? Turkmenistan Lashes out Over Tajik Weather Report
By Catherine Putz
The hottest air is coming from the Turkmen government, paranoid about admitting COVID-19 is in the country.
As WHO Team Arrives, Notable Pneumonia Deaths Reported in Turkmenistan
By Catherine Putz
An adviser to the Turkmen president and a Turkish diplomat have reportedly died from pneumonia this week.
Turkmenistan (Finally) Allowing the WHO In
By Catherine Putz
But what will the WHO find? The WHO has been unwilling to criticize countries about their pandemic responses, but has been quick to praise them.
Storms Spark Activism Among Turkmen Diaspora
By Grady Vaughan
Turkmen at home and abroad rarely protest, but botched responses to natural disasters and the pandemic have led to a surge of activism.
Is Turkmenistan Nearing a COVID-19 Announcement?
By Catherine Putz
Turkmenistan’s denial of the virus’ presence in the country has inevitably cost lives. Not naming it doesn’t make it go away.
What’s the Impact of Turkmenistan’s COVID Delusion?
By Catherine Putz
Turkmenistan says it is COVID-19 free, but the virus, analysts say, is impacting the country whether Ashgabat admits its presence or not.
Report Claims Turkmenistan Is Shuffling the Quarantined out of View
By Catherine Putz
If Ashgabat simply moves the sick away from designated quarantine zones, will it fool the WHO?
Turkmenistan Celebrates World Health Day Unwisely
By Catherine Putz
This year the celebrations were different, though how different depends on your source.
Uzbekistan Leads Central Asian Diplomacy in the Age of COVID-19
By Catherine Putz
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been ringing his neighbors to coordinate and dispatching aid to Afghanistan.