Global Voices Online

Orazdurdy reports that dozens of students at Ashgabat (capital of Turkmenistan) airport were not allowed on board a plane heading to Almaty. This is the latest incident in a broader trend: hundreds of Turkmen students still cannot leave the country in pursuit of education abroad.

Musa reviews the “Worst of the Worst 2009″ report by Freedom House, which lists two Central Asian states - Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - among the world’s most repressive societies.

Schwartz notes that despite vows of sweeping changes, Turkmenistan remains as totalitarian as under the previous government.

Elina Galperin reports that Turkmenistan has signed a major agreement with the German energy giant Rheinisch-Westfaelische Elektrizitaetswerk.

Michael Hancock writes that Turkish construction companies are again receiving contracts to build more great buildings in Turkmenistan.

Elina Galperin analyzes the ourcomes of a recent official meeting between Turkmen President Gurbankuly Berdymuhammedov and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow.

Patrick Frost reviews the recent developments in Turkmenistan, which had been considered one of the world’s most oppressive societies, and says that slight signs of progress have been already made on many issues.

Patrick Frost analyzes the Turkmenistan's 4th Mejlis (parliamentary) elections, which was deemed a great success and ‘historic event’, as for the first time more than 1 candidate was running for each seat, although all of them were from the only one registered, pro-governmental party.

Peter comments on the Turkmen president’s sudden enthusiasm for all things horse-related, which has prompted him to sign deals worth dozens of millions to build new racetracks across the country.