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The Opening of the USA to Turkmenistan

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The United States of America (USA) is developing its relations with various regions and countries of the world since it is a global power. The main purpose of this policy is to expand its influence, to ensure the spread of the values it advocates, and to strengthen relations on security issues. In this context, it is seen that the USA focuses on improving its relations with the Central Asian states.

The Central Asian republics generally implement a multi-vector foreign policy. Since they are in the heart of Eurasia, they are neighbours with global powers such as Russia and China, and they are trying to turn their geopolitical positions into gains, they are using this policy in a balancing way within a pragmatist framework. The mentioned situation makes the Central Asian states a centre of attraction for regional and global actors.

In this context, the interest of the USA towards Central Asia is increasing every day. There are various reasons for this interest. First of all, Central Asia is in the post-Soviet geography. Assessing the power vacuum created after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Washington administration has pursued a policy aimed at increasing its influence in various regions of the world. Today, it has increased its interest in Central Asia due to the vacuum created by the Russian-Ukrainian War. Peculiarly, it can be said that the “New Great Game” has increased the interest of the USA.

On the other hand, Central Asia has a critical place in the security of Eurasia. It is a natural barrier that prevents the spread of security threats, radical and separatist terrorist organizations, especially since it is neighbour to a country like Afghanistan. In addition, the cooperation of Central Asian states in the prevention of drug trade shows that the USA and the states of the region have a similar approach in terms of security threats and perceptions. This facilitates easier security-based cooperation between the parties.

The main reason for the increasing interest of the USA in Central Asia in the recent period is the energy crisis experienced by Europe. As is known, Europe is turning to Central Asia in order to diversify its energy alternatives and meet its energy needs. In this sense, the Washington administration supports Europe’s policy of moving towards Central Asia. The active diplomatic support of the USA will make Europe’s job easier.[1]  Moreover, it is obvious that the important underground resources of the region also attract the USA and pave the way for its orientation to the region. Additionally, it is also important for the USA that the Western capital, which has left Russia, prefers Central Asia.

One of the reasons for the USA’s orientation towards Central Asia is the growing relations of Russia and China with the regional states. The Asian countries of the region are developing relations with all their neighbours within the framework of equality, mutual respect and win-win principle due to their multi-vector foreign policies. However, the USA, which is concerned about the increasing influence of actors such as Russia and China on the world, aims to balance these countries by strengthening its relations with Central Asia. Accordingly, the Washington administration’s approach, which seeks to balance other governments rather than being based on a win-win logic, may cause unease in the region.

The USA is trying to strengthen its relations with Central Asia through meetings held both bilaterally and within the framework of the C5+1. The Ashgabat administration also shows a will to strengthen its relations with the USA within the framework of the principle of equality by maintaining the Permanent Neutrality Status.[2] During this process, the USA focuses on issues, especially economic and security, and trying to have an impact. On the other hand, Turkmenistan’s influence on the process of USA orientation towards the region is quite significant. Firstly, Turkmenistan is the fourth richest country in the world in terms of natural gas reserves. This situation increases the importance of Turkmenistan.

As will be remembered, the US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, said during his visit to Turkmenistan in November 2022 that the USA wants to strengthen its relations with this country. In this context, the Washington administration plans to develop relations in a multidimensional way, including the economy, regional security, climate change, trade, education and culture.[3]

In his statement, Lu also gave important details about the relationship. Lu stated that they want to improve their commercial relations with Turkmenistan, that they have given scholarships to 920 Turkmen students within the framework of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and that they intend to strengthen their relations with universities in Turkmenistan.[4] In addition, Lu stated that he also visited other Central Asian states in May 2022. During this process, he said that he did not come to Ashgabat because he wanted to organize a separate visit to an important country such as Turkmenistan.[5]

At the US-Turkmenistan Business Council meeting held in Ashgabat on December 5-6, 2022, the parties demonstrated that they have a common will to strengthen relations and cooperation in a multidimensional way.[6]

When the security dimension is considered, issues such as response to natural disasters and emergency situations, cyber defence, security, cooperation in engineering and building trade were discussed between the authorities of the two states in September 2022. Turkmenistan expressed its readiness for the development and strengthening of relations in accordance with the country’s constitutional norms and military doctrine in a way that does not harm its neutrality status.

In addition, one of the common points between Turkmenistan and the USA in terms of security is Afghanistan. The parties agree on the adoption of a joint position for the establishment of peace and security in Afghanistan and the strengthening of economic and humanitarian relations with Afghanistan.[7]

It is possible to say that the opening of the USA to Turkmenistan was positively received by Ashgabat. Because this situation will strengthen the multifaceted-vector policy pursued by the country, as well as facilitate Turkmenistan’s access to the Western energy market and pave the way for attracting investment.

In conclusion, the USA opening to Central Asia in general, and Turkmenistan in particular, has economic, political, security and social dimensions. The Washington administration has started to show more interest in the region due to the recent developments in Eurasia. The multifaceted foreign policy of the Central Asian states, on the other hand, allows intensifying relations with the USA. Turkmenistan has an important position in Eurasia due to both its underground riches and its geopolitical position. Therefore, in today’s conjuncture, when the West turns its face to the East, Turkmenistan is becoming a critical centre with its multifaceted and neutral foreign policy. This increases the importance of Turkmenistan in the eyes of the USA.


[1] Emil Avdaliani, “The EU Returns to Central Asia”, Modern Diplomacy, https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2022/12/10/the-eu-returns-to-central-asia/, (Date of Accession: 15.12.2022).

[2] “Расширенное заседание Кабинета Министров Туркменистана”, https://turkmenistan.gov.tm/ru/post/68530/rasshirennoe-zasedanie-kabineta-ministrov-turkmenistana-13, (Date of Accession: 15.12.2022).

[3] Aybulat Musaev, “Turkmen President, US Official Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Ties”, Caspian News, https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/turkmen-president-us-official-discuss-strengthening-bilateral-ties-2022-11-10-35/, (Date of Accession: 15.12.2022).

[4] “Investments in business and education are on the agenda of Turkmen-American cooperation”, Orient, https://orient.tm/en/post/41512/investments-business-and-education-are-agenda-turkmen-american-cooperation, (Date of Accession: 15.12.2022).

[5] Ibid.

[6] “Ashgabat Hosts Turkmenistan-US Business Forum”, Business Turkmenistan, https://business.com.tm/post/9529/ashkabat-turkmenistanabd-%C4%B0sh-konferans%C4%B1na-ev-sahipli%C4%9Fi-yapt%C4%B1, (Date of Accession: 15.12.2022).

[7] Aybek Nurjanov, “Turkmenistan, US Discuss Revival of Ties Within Partnership Program”, Caspian News, https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/turkmenistan-us-discuss-revival-of-ties-within-partnership-program-2022-9-28-0/, (Date of Accession: 15.12.2022).

Dr. Emrah KAYA
Dr. Emrah KAYA
ANKASAM Dış Politika Uzmanı Dr. Emrah Kaya, Akdeniz Üniversitesi Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü’nden mezundur. Yüksek lisans derecesini 2014 yılında Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü’nde hazırladığı “Latin Amerika'da Sol Liderlerin Yükselişi ve Uluslararası Politikaya Etkisi: Venezuela-Bolivya Örneği” başlıklı teziyle almıştır. Kaya, doktora derecesini de 2022 yılında aynı üniversitede hazırladığı "Terörle Mücadelede Müzakere Yöntemi: ETA-FARC-LTTE-PKK" başlıklı teziyle elde etmiştir. İyi derecede İngilizce bilen Kaya'nın başlıca çalışma alanları; Orta Asya, Latin Amerika, terörizm ve barış süreçleridir.