The Political situation in Turkmenistan

Closed desert country opens its doors to the world

The very closed Central Asian country of Turkmenistan is showing signs of opening up to the outside world, writes Reuters, which was allowed to visit the desert country without being escorted by government officials and with permission to report freely.

Turkmenistan is one of the countries in the world with the strictest visa regulations, but under President Serdar Berdymukhamedov's four-year rule, previously frosty relations have begun to thaw. It wants to simplify visa regulations, join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and broaden the economy, which is currently largely state-owned.

According to the news agency, there is a growing private sector.

- This may sound normal in Europe or the United States, but for Turkmenistan it is new, says e-commerce trader Azat Seyitmuhammedov.

The country is still ruled by an authoritarian regime that explains the tight control by wanting to protect the country against militant groups in neighboring Afghanistan.

Isolation breaks – drives dance wave: “We want to compete”

Social media platforms like TikTok are still banned in Turkmenistan but are still reaching more and more people in the closed Central Asian country, reports Reuters. Access to the platforms with the help of VPN services has led to a boom in break dancing.

When dance teacher Muhammet Bayramgulyyev was young, it was an underground phenomenon, but now it is widespread. His studio is usually full and now he hopes that it will also be noticed globally.

– We want our guys to be able to compete in Asian and world championships. And in the future, God willing, even in the Olympics.