Is Turkmenistan Prepared To Shed Its Hermit Status?
March 10th, 2025
Via Havli, commentary on Turkmenistan: Bagging an interview with a president is a coup for any journalist. To get a sit-down with the leader of profoundly self-isolating Turkmenistan, though, that is something else. The recent honour of putting questions to Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, the de facto co-president (technically, he is the “National Leader”), fell to reporter […]
Read more »Central Asia Investing in Itself
November 21st, 2024
Courtesy of The Diplomat, a look at how – while foreign investment has long been a focus for Central Asia – regional countries are now increasingly investing within the region itself: Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Astana in August 2024 marked the inaugural meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. As both […]
Read more »Giant Steppes: Turkey and Central Asia Are Riding Together Once Again
October 12th, 2024
Via The Economist, a report on the Organization of Turkic States: Just outside Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, a woman whips her horse into a canter, raises a wooden bow and sends three arrows whistling through the air, one after the other, to the delight of spectators. Golden eagles perch on their owners’ shoulders. Nearby, men on horseback […]
Read more »Is There a Future for Central Asia’s Indian Ocean Transport Projects?
October 12th, 2024
Via The Diplomat, commentary on the viability of Central Asian projects aiming to connect the region to the Indian Ocean: Central Asian countries are actively exploring new trade routes that could connect them to the Indian Ocean, focusing on partnerships with Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. These routes offer the potential for expanded economic ties with […]
Read more »Turkmenistan’s Economic Leap through Gwadar
October 9th, 2024
In a significant move that could reshape the landscape of regional trade, Modern Diplomacy reports that Pakistan and Turkmenistan are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) granting the latter access to Gwadar Port. In a significant move that could reshape the landscape of regional trade, Pakistan and Turkmenistan are set to sign a […]
Read more »Turkmenistan Eyes Pakistan’s Gwadar Port for Trade Expansion
September 30th, 2024
Via The Diplomat, a look at how Ashgabat could hesitate to fully commit to the Gwadar project, given the dire security situation in Balochistan and regional security challenges: Turkmenistan is poised to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Pakistan on accessing Gwadar Port in southwestern Balochistan province. The deal marks a significant step for Turkmenistan, making […]
Read more »Focusing primarily on The New Seven Sisters - the largely state owned petroleum companies from the emerging world that have become key players in the oil & gas industry as identified by Carola Hoyos, Chief Energy Correspondent for The Financial Times - but spanning other nascent opportunities around the globe that may hold potential in the years ahead, Wildcats & Black Sheep is a place for the adventurous to contemplate & evaluate the emerging markets of tomorrow.