Turkmenistan

Fiscal optimism belies export revenue shortfalls and widespread hardship

Subsidised public services are coming to an end but one result may be to make people value limited resources

Possessing huge reserves is not enough when neighbours are rival producers or hard bargainers

The president goes through a ritual election and will rule for life as long as people have a basic standard of living

Reports from the closed-off Central Asian state indicate that rich gas reserves are not bringing the expected benefits

Despite success in entering the Chinese gas market, the country is as reliant as ever on a single buyer

Turkmenistan is looking to boost ties with Ukraine, Japan and the United States

Afghanistan's civil war and lack of progress on peace talks pose a major security risk for Turkmenistan