Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline

The warm welcome in Dushanbe and meetings around the Caspian table in Ashgabat were a chance for Putin to reaffirm his network of partners at a critical moment.

Turkmenistan needs a sale, and Russia probably got a good price.

Successful realization of the opportunities opened by the deal will depend on political will among the Caspian littoral states.

The landmark agreement settles some Caspian Sea issues, but leaves others open for further discussion.

Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan’s aims to diversify their energy export markets got a boost recently.

Turkmenistan’s no closer to seeing its gas reach the European markets it once envisioned.

Pipelines and politics, both foreign and domestic.

Ashgabat aims to quadruple its gas exports to 180bcm annually by 2030.

The pipeline’s history is a telling indicator of changing geopolitical winds.

Moscow’s cruise missile launches demonstrated strength--and weakness--in the Caspian corridor.

Caught between the undelineated Caspian and a deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, Ashgabat has few options.