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'Berlin Wall's Lessons For Today'

In an op-ed for "USA Today," Jeffrey Gedmin discusses RFE and the role of free media in societies living under repressive regimes. More
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RFE/RL's Turkmen Service

RFE/RL's Turkmen Service was established in 1953 as part of Radio Liberty broadcasting to the Soviet Union. Due to the nature of the current ruling regime, scientific audience surveys cannot be conducted. However, e-mail and SMS messages and letters from listeners suggest they value RFE/RL's broadcasts. The Turkmen Service is the only independent source for news and information in the country, with special emphasis given to topics such as democracy and human rights.

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Features & Multimedia

It's Not Easy Being An Environmentalist In Turkmenistan

A court in Turkmenistan has overturned a five-year jail sentence handed down last week to a biologist whose environmental organization was shut down by the state in 2003. The case marks the second time in three years that Andrei Zatoka has been sentenced and detained before being released, and highlights the difficulties activists commonly encounter in Central Asia. More

Unmasking The Truth About Swine Flu

As concerns over massive outbreaks of swine flu rise in many countries with the onset of the influenza season, doctors say much is misunderstood about how people contract the disease. We speak to experts to learn more, and whether there is any cause for panic. RFE/RL correspondent Charles Recknagel reports. More

In Fear Of The Flu

Public fears of a major outbreak of swine flu are growing in countries from Ukraine to Afghanistan. What is not clear is how many cases are actually the dreaded H1N1 strain, and whether fears of a pandemic are justified. More

Is Ashgabat Suspicious Of U.S. Education Programs?

Last week, Turkmenistan denied entry for dozens of volunteers from the Peace Corps, a U.S. government-run program engaged in education and healthcare projects. Earlier this month, Turkmen students studying at U.S.-affiliated universities were denied permission to leave the country after their summer holidays. Critics say authorities in Turkmenistan remain suspicious that Western education could change the mindset of Turkmen students. More

Russia Facing Resistance On CIS's Southern Flank

Representatives of the CIS are holding a summit in the Moldovan capital today, but most of the Central Asian presidents won't be in attendance. The presidents of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan instead sent lower-level delegations. Focusing on the three Central Asian states that make up the CIS's southern frontier, we examine how, by skipping the summit, they might be exhibiting their discontent with Russia. More
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Facts & Stats

Map of Turkmenistan

Population
5.2 million

Ethnic Groups:
Turkmen 85%
Uzbek 5%
Russian 4%
Other 6%

Religions:
Muslim 89%
Eastern Orthodox 9%
Other 2%

Languages:
Turkmen 72%
Russian 12%
Uzbek 9%
Other 7%

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