The Dictator of Turkmenistan: A Cult of Personality and State-Sponsored Choreography

👑Turkman Bashi has created a cult of personality, with statues and portraits of himself dominating public spaces.

💰Turkmenistan has vast reserves of oil and gas worth billions of dollars, all under the personal control of Turkman Bashi.

🛡️Political opponents are silenced or imprisoned, and dissent is not tolerated in Turkmenistan.

🌍Despite concerns about human rights abuses, countries like the US maintain diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan due to its rich natural resources.

🏢Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat, is filled with grandiose buildings and monuments dedicated to Turkman Bashi.

How does Turkman Bashi maintain his power in Turkmenistan?

—Turkman Bashi maintains his power through a combination of a cult of personality, repression of political opposition, and control over the country's vast oil and gas reserves.

What is life like for ordinary people in Turkmenistan?

—Life for ordinary people in Turkmenistan is marked by poverty and a lack of basic freedoms. The majority of the population lives in poverty, while Turkman Bashi and his inner circle enjoy immense wealth and power.

Why do countries like the US maintain diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan despite human rights concerns?

—Countries like the US maintain diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan due to its rich natural resources, particularly its reserves of oil and gas. Economic and strategic interests often take priority over human rights concerns.

Are there any organized opposition groups in Turkmenistan?

—Opposition to Turkman Bashi's regime is difficult and dangerous in Turkmenistan. Political opponents are silenced or imprisoned, and dissent is not tolerated. As a result, there are very few organized opposition groups in the country.

Is Turkman Bashi's cult of personality unique to Turkmenistan?

—While cults of personality exist in other countries, Turkman Bashi's cult of personality in Turkmenistan is particularly extreme. He has built statues, portraits, and even a mosque dedicated to himself, and his image dominates public spaces.

00:22The video begins with the Changing of the Guard in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan.

00:34Turkman Bashi, the self-styled great leader of all Turkmen, has dominated the country since its independence from the Soviet Union.

01:09Turkman Bashi's statues and portraits dominate every public space in Ashgabat, emphasizing his cult of personality.

03:35Ordinary Turkmen are forced to proclaim their devotion to Turkman Bashi out of fear and intimidation.

09:58Turkman Bashi has built a massive mosque dedicated to himself, further emphasizing his self-aggrandizement.

10:45Turkmenistan's vast reserves of oil and gas are under the personal control of Turkman Bashi, while the majority of the population lives in poverty.

14:03Political opponents are silenced or imprisoned, and dissent is not tolerated in Turkmenistan.

19:51Despite concerns about human rights abuses, countries like the US maintain diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan due to its rich natural resources.