MYSTERIOUS: Ashgabat - You Need To See This

Ultra-reclusive Turkmenistan slowly opens up to tourists

ASHGABAT — From a gas crater dubbed the "Gateway to Hell" to the shimmering marble buildings of its capital, Turkmenistan is tentatively opening up to tourists after decades of isolation.

Bangkok Post · Jun 23

Turkmenistan's 'heavenly' Akhal-Teke horses celebrated in annual beauty pageants

The Central Asian country of Turkmenistan is immensely proud of its horses. The ancient and endangered Akhal-Teke species has become a symbol of great national pride in a deeply isolated state where power is firmly concentrated, and are considered so beautiful that beauty pageants are held for them annually. The…

France 24 · Jun 5

Hundreds of Air France passengers stranded in ‘world’s weirdest city’ after engine failure

Turkmenistan has strict red tape according to the Foreign Office, including a mandatory £23 Covid test fee

The Independent UK · Jan 13

Cohen Meets Aliyev in Baku amid Tension with Tehran

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen held consultations in Baku with senior Azerbaijani officials, before heading to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, to inaugurate his country’s embassy there, in a move that would anger Tehran. Cohen met on Wednesday with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the presidential palace, a month after…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 20, 2023

Saudi-Turkmen Talks Discuss International Developments, Bilateral Coordination

Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan held key talks in Ashgabat on Monday, including a meeting with Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedow. President Berdimuhamedow received Prince Faisal at the Presidential Palace during his official visit. At the beginning of the reception, Prince Faisal conveyed the greetings and appreciation of Custodian of…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Dec 20, 2022

Putin: 'No Problem' for Russia if Finland, Sweden Join NATO

Russia has "no problem" if Finland and Sweden join NATO, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. "We don't have problems with Sweden and Finland like we do with Ukraine," Putin told a news conference in the Turkmenistan capital of Ashgabat. "We don't have territorial differences," the Russian leader continued. "There…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jun 30, 2022

Putin Denies Russian Responsibility for Kremenchuk Strike

Russian President Vladimir Putin denied Moscow's forces were responsible for a strike on a crowded shopping center in the Ukrainian town of Kremenchuk earlier this week, in which 18 people were killed. "Our army does not attack any civilian infrastructure site. We have every capability of knowing what is situated…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jun 30, 2022

Russia’s Putin to Meet Iran’s Raisi in Ashgabat on Wednesday

Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during a visit to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, on Wednesday, the Kremlin said. Putin is making his first known trip abroad since the start of what Moscow calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine. He is…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jun 28, 2022