Turkmenistan [Updated August 21, 2020]   [open pdf - 474KB]

From the Overview: "Turkmenistan is a strategically situated country with significant energy resources, making it a potential partner for governments, including the United States, interested in advancing regional stability and economic development. Since becoming independent with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Turkmenistan's authoritarian government has kept the country largely isolated from the outside world and maintained tight control over the economy. While Turkmenistan's constitution establishes 'permanent neutrality' as the core principle of the country's foreign policy, its history and geography underpin a difficult but important relationship with Russia, and increasing economic dependence is driving closer ties with China. In recent years, U.S. cooperation with Turkmenistan has focused primarily on border security issues, particularly with neighboring Afghanistan."