Hao Nan Editor’s note: This is the truncated version of an analysis by Hao Nan. It was originally published by the think tank Valdai Club. The complete text of the analysis is available at this link --- https://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/central-asia-2026-from-great-power-prize/ --- Ed. In 2025, Central Asia began to look less like a blank space on someone else’s … [Read more...]
Iran’s 2026 Unrest: An Independent Observer’s Analysis
Tariq Saeedi As an independent observer with a keen interest in Central Asia and broader regional affairs, I have closely examined the three reports issued by Iran's High Council for Human Rights in January 2026. These documents provide a detailed perspective on the tumultuous events that unfolded in Iran. This is obviously, point of view of the state, framing them not as … [Read more...]
Preventive Governance: Turkmenistan’s Vision for Rebuilding Global Trust
Tariq Saeedi At the World Government Summit in Dubai, Turkmenistan presented a framework that cuts to the heart of contemporary international relations: the world has become reactive when it must be preventive, fragmented when it must be unified, and uncertain when it must be predictable. Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov's four initiatives form not a wishlist but a … [Read more...]
Islamabad Summit Talks: Uzbekistan and Pakistan ink 30 New Agreements, a Defense Sector “Roadmap,” and Agree on $2 Billion Trade Turnover
On 5 February 2026, summit talks took place in Islamabad between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif. The first day of the Uzbek leader’s two-day visit (5–6 February) was marked by negotiations in a narrow format, the inaugural session of the Supreme-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, and the signing of a substantial … [Read more...]
Strategic Partnership between Uzbekistan and Pakistan – A Key Factor in Strengthening Central and South Asia Connectivity
On February 5–6, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to Pakistan. This visit is seen as a logical continuation of the intensified Uzbek-Pakistani dialogue in recent years and, at the same time, as an important step in implementing Uzbekistan’s foreign policy strategy, focused on expanding cooperation with South Asian countries. The visit … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan and Pakistan Establish Strategic Partnership
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid a state visit to Pakistan. On 4 February 2026, summit talks took place in Islamabad between Tokayev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This marks the first visit by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Pakistan as President. Furthermore, the visit carries symbolic significance as it coincided with the 34th anniversary of the establishment … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan participates in the World Government Summit in Dubai
The delegation of Turkmenistan headed by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov is participating in the World Government Summit, which is being held in Dubai from February 3 to 5, 2026, the Foreign ministry of Turkmenistan reports. Speaking at the session “The Future of Global Alliances”, Rashid Meredov … [Read more...]
Erbakan Unlocked: The Engineer Who Hacked Unity and Inspired a Borderless Future
Tariq Saeedi In an era where global divisions seem deeper than ever, there's a quiet urgency to rediscover figures who bridged worlds with vision and pragmatism. Necmettin Erbakan, the Turkish engineer-turned-statesman who passed away in 2011, stands as one such luminary—a man whose life and legacy transcend national borders, offering lessons in unity, innovation, and … [Read more...]
Tashkent and Ankara Strengthen Strategic Partnership on the Eve of the 30th Anniversary of the Friendship Treaty – Outcomes of the Uzbekistan President’s Visit to Türkiye
On 29 January 2026, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Ankara on an official visit at the invitation of President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The main event of the one-day visit was the fourth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, co-chaired by the two presidents, followed by an expanded meeting of the delegations. The sides … [Read more...]
Central Asia and Turkiye: A New Phase of Interconnectivity
Dilorom MAMATKULOVA, Leading research fellow of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan The strategic convergence between Turkiye and Central Asian states –driven by shared historical and cultural heritage alongside mutually reinforcing economic interests – is cultivating a novel architectural framework for regional … [Read more...]
Diplomacy of Trust, Integration, and Connectivity: Turkmenistan Presents 2026 CIS Chairmanship Concept in Minsk
The concept of Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 2026, along with the corresponding action plan, was presented in Minsk during a meeting of the Council of Permanent Plenipotentiary Representatives of the CIS member states. The document was detailed by the Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the CIS statutory and other … [Read more...]
On Trump’s Potential, and the Imperative of Defragmentation
Tariq Saeedi I remain a supporter of President Trump, not out of blind loyalty, but because I recognize his unique potential and proven ability to deliver on promises that conventional politicians merely talk about. His track record speaks for itself. However, as someone invested in seeing his legacy secured and his second term succeed, I believe we must examine certain … [Read more...]
33 years of mutual trust and creation: Turkmenistan and Tajikistan on the path of strategic partnership
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Tajikistan Aimyrat Gochmyradov January 27, 2026, marks the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tajikistan. They were officially established on January 27, 1993. Over the past period, bilateral cooperation has acquired a stable, … [Read more...]
Artificial Intelligence and the New Diplomacy: Speed, Subtlety, and Strategic Advantage
Tariq Saeedi International relations have always been about information—gathering it, interpreting it, and acting on it before your counterpart does. For centuries, the advantage went to those with better intelligence networks, sharper analysts, and more experienced diplomats who could read the room and sense what wasn't being said. That fundamental calculus hasn't … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan to Expand Partnership with ILO to Ensure Decent Labor Conditions
Turkmenistan intends to significantly expand and deepen its partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO). During a Cabinet of Ministers meeting, DPM, Foreign Minister R. Meredov reported on plans to develop cooperation aimed at ensuring decent working conditions and protecting the rights of all participants in labor relations. The interaction between the … [Read more...]
National Leader of Turkmen People Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Meets U.S. Special Envoy Sergio Gor
On 23 January, National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met with U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia and Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, according to state news agency TDH. The U.S. diplomat thanked Arkadag Berdimuhamedov for the meeting and noted the ongoing development of relations between the United … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan President Meets U.S. Army Secretary and Special Envoy in Ashgabat
On 23 January 2026, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held talks with U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and Sergio Gor, the U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia and Ambassador to India. The high-level delegation arrived in Turkmenistan on an official visit to discuss prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation. The American side … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan Assumes CIS Chairmanship: Focus on Security, Economy, and Connectivity
Turkmenistan's Ambassador to Russia and Plenipotentiary Representative to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Esen Aydogdyev, presented the country's Concept for its 2026 CIS Chairmanship during a meeting of the Commission on Economic Affairs under the CIS Economic Council in Moscow on 22 January 2026. Aydogdyev outlined the key priorities for Turkmenistan's … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan’s New Constitutional Model: Unicameral Parliament, Vice Presidency, and the Creation of a People’s Council
As part of a large-scale political modernization effort, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed a series of fundamental reforms that effectively signal a transition to a new constitutional model. The President emphasized that these changes are designed to strengthen statehood and establish a resilient system defined as: "Strong President – Influential Parliament – … [Read more...]
Trump legacy is in tatters – There is still time to repair and polish it
Tariq Saeedi During both of Donald Trump's presidential campaigns, I supported him wholeheartedly, even though Central Asia—where I am based – is nearly as far away from the United States as possible on this globe. My backing wasn't rooted in geography or shared borders but in his remarkable ability to stand defiantly against the entire entrenched political system. As an … [Read more...]
Abatement of situation in Iran affords some clarity
Tariq Saeedi As of 16 January 2026, there is peace and some semblance of normalcy in the streets of Iran. With this abatement, more information has become available. This affords some clarity. In an Op-Ed, published on 15 January 2026, I wrote: “When the entire system becomes the target, a significant portion of the population—those who align with the government’s … [Read more...]
Be Prepared: The Timeless Wisdom Nations Must Relearn
Tariq Saeedi When Lord Robert Baden-Powell chose "Be Prepared" as the motto for the Boy Scouts in 1907, he wasn't simply offering practical advice for camping trips. The founder of the scouting movement understood something profound about human resilience: true preparedness isn't about predicting specific dangers, but about cultivating the character, skills, and mindset … [Read more...]
From Economic Pain to Narrative Conflict in Iran
Tariq Saeedi As the world watches the unfolding events in Iran with a mix of concern and speculation, it's easy to get lost in the cacophony of international commentary. The recent protests, which erupted in late December 2025, have once again thrust the Islamic Republic into the global spotlight, highlighting deep-seated economic frustrations and the ever-present shadow … [Read more...]
The Farming Sector: A Nation’s First Line of Defence
Tariq Saeedi Napoleon Bonaparte reportedly observed that an army marches on its stomach. This simple truth contains a profound strategic insight: before any nation can defend its borders, project power, or pursue its interests, it must first feed its people. The farming sector, far from being a mere economic concern, constitutes the first line of defence for any country … [Read more...]
Food Security: The Foundation of National Strength
Tariq Saeedi National security is commonly understood through the lens of military capability, diplomatic influence, and economic power. Yet underlying all these dimensions is a more fundamental requirement: the ability to feed one's population. Food security—the capacity for sustainable food self-sufficiency—represents not merely an agricultural concern but a cornerstone … [Read more...]
Iran Situation – Need to Deconstruct the Matrix
Tariq Saeedi The discontent curdled into frustration and frustration morphed into anger. --- This is the description of the Iran situation in one sentence. It started rather peacefully in Tehran when the shopkeepers and merchants (Bazaari Class) in Grand Bazar, also known as Tehran Bazar, staged a peaceful strike on 28 December 2025. The things snowballed rather fast … [Read more...]
Shared Borders, Shared Futures
Niu Honglin is a producer and host with CGTN. She is also one of the editors of Stories of Xi Jinping. Peace doesn’t always fall apart because of distant rivals. Peace breaks down because neighbors stop talking. Borders are challenged, and trust chipped away. Small disagreements fester and become permanent. In a world full of global flash points, it’s often relationships … [Read more...]
Central Asia in 2025
Tariq Saeedi While much of the world spent 2025 navigating economic uncertainty and geopolitical turbulence, Central Asia quietly emerged as one of the year's most remarkable success stories. The five nations—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan—achieved something increasingly rare in today's fractured global landscape: they maintained steady … [Read more...]
Building a world of lasting peace through dialogue and consultation
CGTN podcast In October 2013, at a conference on work related to neighboring countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping first put forward China's fundamental policy guideline for diplomacy with neighboring countries — amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness. “Amity” stands for close and friendly relations, “sincerity” for mutual trust and honesty, “mutual benefit” … [Read more...]
Strategic Partnership Between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan Further Strengthened in 2025 – Ambassador Gozalov
In 2025, the friendly, fraternal, and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan developed significantly, becoming even stronger and broader on the basis of mutual trust and friendship. In line with the spirit of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed in 2017, the continued deepening of cooperation and the launch of mutually beneficial initiatives in new … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan-Qatar Relations
nCa Report Key Points on Turkmenistan-Qatar Relations Historical and Diplomatic Overview Turkmenistan and Qatar, both energy-rich nations, have built ties based on mutual interests in natural gas and regional stability. The relationship has evolved steadily since independence-era engagements. Key Exchanges and Outcomes Visits at presidential and ministerial … [Read more...]
Erdogan at the Forum in Ashgabat: Türkiye is Ready to Take Responsibility for Peace and Dialogue
In an era of global conflicts and uncertainty, Ashgabat has become a platform for a powerful call for peace: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking at the International Forum “Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future,” emphasized Ankara's readiness to take responsibility for dialogue and stability. Speaking at the plenary session of the Forum, … [Read more...]
Pezeshkian Calls for Rethinking Peace, Citing Inequality as Root of War at Neutrality Forum in Ashgabat
Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, addressed the inaugural session of the international conference on neutrality, held on 12 December 2025 in Ashgabat. The conference was the flagship event, marking the 30th anniversary of the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan. This is also the year of peace and trust, as declared by the UN under a resolution initiated by … [Read more...]
On the Sidelines of Neutrality Conference in Ashgabat: Meeting of the Presidents of Turkmenistan and Türkiye
On the sidelines of the International Forum “Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future,” President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Serdar Berdimuhamedov warmly welcomed the distinguished guest, thanking him for accepting the invitation to the forum timed to coincide with the … [Read more...]
On the Sidelines of Neutrality Conference in Ashgabat: Meeting of the Presidents of Turkmenistan and Russia
In the lively atmosphere following the conclusion of the international forum on peace and trust in Ashgabat, President Vladimir Putin and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov found time for a personal conversation that underscored the enduring warmth between Moscow and Ashgabat. This meeting, which took place immediately after the plenary session of the forum “Peace and Trust: Unity … [Read more...]
On the Sidelines of Neutrality Conference in Ashgabat: Arkadag-Putin Meeting
ASHGABAT — Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the former president of Turkmenistan known as Arkadag, personally greeted President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia at the airport here on Friday in a warm display of the longstanding ties between the two countries. The brief encounter at Ashgabat International Airport's presidential terminal, which included a guard of honor, … [Read more...]
On the Sidelines of Neutrality Conference in Ashgabat: Putin-Pezeshkian Meeting
ASHGABAT — President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran met here on Friday to accelerate implementation of their comprehensive strategic partnership, with both leaders emphasizing mutual support against Western sanctions. The meeting on the sidelines of an international peace forum highlighted growing economic ties between Moscow and … [Read more...]
On the Sidelines of Neutrality Conference in Ashgabat: Putin-Erdoğan Meeting
Ashgabat – Russian President Vladimir V. Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held an hourlong meeting here on Friday, focusing on a number of issues including the Ukraine conflict and the European actions against frozen Russian assets. The meeting took place on the margins of the International Peace and Trust Forum, which commemorated the 30th anniversary of … [Read more...]
Tokayev at the International Forum in Ashgabat: Kazakhstan Proposes to Expand the UN Security Council and Create an International Water Organization
President of Kazakhstan Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev, addressing the International Forum on Peace and Trust, underscored the urgent need for reform of the United Nations. He called for the expansion of the Security Council and the strengthening of the role of the General Assembly in global decision‑making. “Despite certain successes in resolving individual conflicts, the overall … [Read more...]
Putin at the Peace and Trust Forum in Ashgabat: Russia and Turkmenistan Develop Partnership in the Spirit of Friendship and Good Neighborliness
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin participated in an international forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th anniversary of the proclamation of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. Russian President Vladimir Putin opened his address with warm congratulations to President of Turkmenistan … [Read more...]
European Union Says It Seeks No Expansion in Central Asia
The European Union’s special representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais, rejected suggestions that Brussels is pursuing political or economic expansion in the region, emphasizing that the bloc’s growing engagement is driven solely by mutual benefit and a desire for stability. “We are not immediate neighbors, so it is very difficult to accuse us of any attempts at … [Read more...]
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the Evolution of Turkmenistan’s Policy of Permanent Neutrality
Tariq Saeedi Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, unanimously recognised by UN General Assembly Resolution 50/80 of 12 December 1995, received its modern, active and operational character under Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who led the country as President from 2007 to 2022 and has since continued to shape its foreign policy as National Leader (Arkadag) and Chairman of the Halk … [Read more...]
Neutrality of Turkmenistan and its Kaleidoscopic Nature
Tariq Saeedi On December 12, 2025, delegates from around the world will gather in Ashgabat to mark three decades of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. But this is no ordinary anniversary. What began as a simple commitment to non-alignment has evolved into something far more remarkable—a living demonstration of how a small nation can become a force for peace not by standing … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan: Neutrality and Women
Tariq Saeedi For thirty years, Turkmenistan has lived its neutrality not as a quiet diplomatic footnote, but as a living, breathing conviction—one that begins in the home and reaches all the way to the world stage. And at the very heart of that conviction stands the Turkmen woman. --- She is not a symbol. She is the architect. While much of the world still treats … [Read more...]
Neutrality of Turkmenistan – A Bit of Historical Context and Halk Maslahaty
Tariq Saeedi In an era when the world seems perpetually pulled toward extremes, true neutrality shines as something far more profound than simple non-alignment. When it is active, positive, and dynamic—when it refuses to be passive or static—neutrality reveals its deepest essence: it is another name for balance and harmony. It is the courageous choice to occupy the center, … [Read more...]
54th Anniversary of the UAE National Day Celebrated in Ashgabat: Ambassador Alhameli Announces Record Trade Growth with Turkmenistan
On 28 November 2025, UAE Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ahmed Alhay Alhameli hosted a grand reception in Ashgabat to mark the 54th anniversary of the National Day of the United Arab Emirates. The event was attended by heads and staff of diplomatic missions accredited in Ashgabat, representatives of Turkmen business circles, journalists, public figures, well-known bloggers, and … [Read more...]
Neutrality: A Shield for Childhood, A Foundation for Future Generations
Tariq Saeedi Have you seen the pictures of children in a conflict zone? They haunt the conscience of every generation touched by conflict: a child's eyes, old beyond their years, reflecting a world where playgrounds have become battlegrounds and lullabies have been replaced by air raid sirens. This is not merely a tragedy of war—it is the theft of childhood itself, the … [Read more...]
C5 is now C6 – What will change?
Tariq Saeedi The transformation of Central Asia's consultative mechanism from C5 to C6 with Azerbaijan's formal inclusion represents far more than a diplomatic courtesy. At the November 2025 Tashkent summit, Central Asian leaders agreed that Azerbaijan would participate as a full member in future meetings, marking a strategic realignment that recognizes existing realities … [Read more...]
Neutrality as the Bridge: Why Central Asia and ASEAN Are Natural Partners in a Divided World
Tariq Saeedi In just over two weeks, on 12 December 2025, Ashgabat will host the high-level International Forum "Peace and Trust", the flagship event marking the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality – a status uniquely recognized by the United Nations in 1995 and reaffirmed ever since. The UN has declared 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust … [Read more...]
State Visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Kazakhstan: A New Chapter in Strategic Partnership
On 24–25 November 2025, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov paid a state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The summit talks were held at the Akorda Palace on 25 November, in a narrow and an expanded formats with the participation of official delegations. Both leaders emphasized the special closeness of … [Read more...]