https://www.rferl.org Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is an international news organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 05:46:29 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL Easter celebrations in the western Turkmen city of Balkanabat were overshadowed by a coordinated security operation near the only Christian church, with dozens of local Turkmen converts detained during Catholic and Orthodox services. https://www.rferl.org/a/33733767.html https://www.rferl.org/a/33733767.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:13:17 +0200 NewsTurkmenistan The Rundown Stories Two weeks of US-Israeli air strikes have displaced millions inside Iran, raising fears in neighboring countries about a possible refugee spillover that could potentially turn into a humanitarian crisis. https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-refugee-influx-central-asia-us-iran/33707155.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-refugee-influx-central-asia-us-iran/33707155.html Sun, 15 Mar 2026 13:56:34 +0100 IranFeaturesAfghanistanArmeniaAzerbaijanIraqTajikistanTurkmenistan UzbekistanThe Rundown Stories The conflict in Iran is sending shock waves across Central Asian economies, with Turkmenistan particularly exposed due to its heavy reliance on Iranian imports, especially food and household items, according to residents and firsthand market reports from Ashgabat and Balkan.  https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-economy-central-asia-turkmenistan/33695124.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-economy-central-asia-turkmenistan/33695124.html Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:33:59 +0100 IranFeaturesTurkmenistan UzbekistanThe Rundown Stories Thousands of teachers, health workers, and other civil servants have been mobilized to pick cotton across Central Asia, despite official pledges to end forced labor. https://www.rferl.org/a/forced-labor-central-asia-cotton-harvest/33578833.html https://www.rferl.org/a/forced-labor-central-asia-cotton-harvest/33578833.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 13:22:50 +0100 FeaturesTajikistanTurkmenistan UzbekistanThe Rundown Stories Authorities in Turkmenistan’s Balkan region have ordered “overweight” actors, dancers, and everyone else who is employed in the culture sector to lose weight by September 27, the Independence Day. Officials have threatened that those who fail to get slim, will be “banished” from the sector. https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-dancers-actors-overweight-culture/33511014.html https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-dancers-actors-overweight-culture/33511014.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:01:39 +0200 Turkmenistan FeaturesThe Rundown Stories RFE/RL spotlights five Central Asian athletes who have turned adversity into triumph. From a paralyzed man turned ultramarathoner to a blind Paralympian and a Premier League soccer pioneer, these remarkable sportspeople have shown how resilience and courage can transcend barriers and inspire others. https://www.rferl.org/a/central-asia-sports-athletes-overcome-adversity-inspiration/33487419.html https://www.rferl.org/a/central-asia-sports-athletes-overcome-adversity-inspiration/33487419.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:28:41 +0200 KyrgyzstanFeaturesKazakhstanTajikistanTurkmenistan UzbekistanThe Rundown Stories In a theatrical session of dynastic diplomacy, the former president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, and his daughter, Oguljahan Atabaeva, traveled to Baku in mid-July and were received by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his daughter, Leyla Aliyeva. https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-central-asia-berdymukhammedov-atabaeva-aliyev-aliyeva-leyla-dynasty/33477780.html https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-central-asia-berdymukhammedov-atabaeva-aliyev-aliyeva-leyla-dynasty/33477780.html Sat, 26 Jul 2025 00:13:56 +0200 Turkmenistan AzerbaijanUzbekistan