Caspian Catastrophe, Opposition Overhaul, and Turkmenistan at 35

This week, we'll be looking at how a military tragedy on the Caspian is creating political shockwaves across Kazakhstan; a whole series of military exercises taking place across the region; a major leadership change inside one of Central Asia's opposition movements after nearly two decades under the same figure; and all five Central Asian leaders travelling to Seoul for the latest C5+1 meeting, with only one of them then continuing on to Washington for the UN meetings. We'll also be looking at a new military pact between Azerbaijan and one of the Central Asian states, an agreement that could have serious implications for Russia's role in the region. And then, for our main story this week, we'll be looking back at 35 years of Turkmen independence, how the country has changed over that period, and why there are growing signs that those changes may now be accelerating. - Luca Anceschi (Uni of Glasgow) Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard

Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia and The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs.

For more info, please visit:

-The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/)

Follow us on Twitter on

- Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@TheTimesoCA) - The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs (@OxusSociety)