Turkmenistan in Turmoil
Turkmenistan's authoritarian president Saparmurat Niyazov - Turkmenbashi - who ruled the Central Asian country for 21 years, died yesterday.
After years of isolation, Turkmenbashi's death may open a window of opportunity for greater powers to spread their influence in a troubled region. The US, Russia and increasingly China are vying to re-assert their positions in Central Asia.
With Afghanistan and Iran next door, Washington can be expected to keep a close watch on Turkmenistan, although it is Moscow that has the most at stake.
Russia's energy giant Gazprom is the larger buyer of the Turkmen gas, which it sells to Ukraine and then Western Europe.
After years of isolation, Turkmenbashi's death may open a window of opportunity for greater powers to spread their influence in a troubled region. The US, Russia and increasingly China are vying to re-assert their positions in Central Asia.
With Afghanistan and Iran next door, Washington can be expected to keep a close watch on Turkmenistan, although it is Moscow that has the most at stake.
Russia's energy giant Gazprom is the larger buyer of the Turkmen gas, which it sells to Ukraine and then Western Europe.
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