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The history of Turkmenistan traditionally began with the arrival of Indo-European Iranian tribes around 2000 BC. Early tribes were nomadic or semi-nomadic due to the arid conditions of the region that prevented widespread adoption of agriculture, and the steppe culture in Central Asia was an extension of a larger Eurasian series of horse cultures which spanned the entire spectrum of language families, including the Indo-Europeans and Turko-Mongol groups. Some of the known early Iranian tribes included the Massagatae, the Scythians/Sakas, and early Soghdians, who were most likely precursors of the Khwarezmians. Turkmenistan was a passing point for numerous migrations and invasions by tribes, which gravitated towards the settled regions of the south, including ancient Mesopotamia, Elam, and the Indus Valley civilization.
The politics of Turkmenistan takes place in the framework of a presidential republic, whereby the President of Turkmenistan is both head of state and head of government. However, no true opposition parties are allowed; every registered political party supports the third and current President Serdar Berdimuhamedow. The country is frequently described as a totalitarian state.
The Armed Forces of Turkmenistan, known informally as the Turkmen National Army is the national military of Turkmenistan. It consists of the Ground Forces, the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, Navy, and other independent formations.
Turkmenistan, also known as Turkmenia, is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, east and northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the south and southwest and the Caspian Sea to the west. Ashgabat is the capital and largest city of the country. The population of the country is about 6 million, the lowest of the Central Asian republics. Turkmenistan is one of the most sparsely populated nations in Asia. Citizens of Turkmenistan are known as Turkmenistanis, Turkmenians or Turkmens.
Balkanabat, formerly Nebit-Dag and Neftedag, is the capital city of Balkan Province, the largest province in the Turkmenistan. It lies at the foot of the Balkan Daglary mountain range. Balkanabat is about 450 km west of Ashgabat and 160 km east of the port city of Turkmenbashi. The city has an airport with scheduled daily flights to Ashgabat.
The Ministry for National Security or MNS is the secret police agency for the government of Turkmenistan. It is composed largely of the remnants of KGB organs left over after the collapse of the Soviet Union; its functions remain largely the same as well. The MNB and the national police force are under the direction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Until 2002 was known as the KNB.
Presidential elections were held in Turkmenistan on 11 February 2007, following the death of president-for-life Saparmurat Niyazov on 21 December 2006.
The State Security Council of Turkmenistan is an important decision-making body in the field of the defence of Turkmenistan. It is the highest decision-making body in the armed forces next to the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, with its members directly advising the President of Turkmenistan on matters of national security.
Işanguly Nuryýew is a Turkmen statesman. He was Deputy Minister of Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources of Turkmenistan (2005—2007).
Boris Orazovich Shikhmuradov was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan from 1995 to 2000. He was sentenced to life imprisonment after he was convicted of participation in a plot against Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov in 2002. Little is known about his life in prison, and it is unknown whether he remains alive.
Army General Agageldi Mammetgeldiyevich Mammetgeldiyev is a Turkmen military officer who served as Minister of Defense of Turkmenistan from 2003 to 2009. He was also a Vice Chairman of the Cabinet Ministers. At the time he served, he was the highest ranking military defense minister in the Commonwealth of Independent States. He is nicknamed the "Grey Cardinal".
Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov or Saparmyrat Ataýewiç Nyýazow/Сапармырат Атаевич Ныязов, also known as Türkmenbaşy or Turkmenbashy, was a Turkmen politician who ruled Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006. He was First Secretary of the Turkmen Communist Party from 1985 until 1991 and supported the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt. He continued to rule Turkmenistan for 15 years after independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Täçberdi Tagyýew or Tachberdy Tagyev is a Turkmen politician, born in Etrek District. Since 2012 he is the General Director of the Turkmenbashi Complex of oil refineries. He was deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan from 2007 to 2009.
Annaguly Deryayev is a Turkmen politician and the head of the state oil company Türkmennebit. He is a former minister of oil and gas industry and mineral resources of Turkmenistan.
Yagshygeldi Ilyasovich Kakayev was a Turkmen politician and energy executive. He was a Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan from 2012 to 2013 and from 2015 to 2017. In 2010, he served as acting Deputy Chairman. His career in government was primarily focused on oil and gas matters. From 2007 to 2016, he was the Director of the State Agency for Management of Hydrocarbons.
The list of Turkmenistan-related articles is below
The Turkmen Ground Forces is the army branch of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan. The ground forces include the 2nd, 3rd, 11th, and 22nd Motor Rifle Divisions as well as smaller units consisting of various types of troops.
Dangatar Abdyevich Kopekov was a Turkmen general and the former Minister of Defense of Turkmenistan and the last Chairman of the Turkmen KGB.
Begench Amandurdievich Beknazarov was a military officer in the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan, who was sentenced to life in 2005 for his alleged role in the assassination attempt on President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov. He was sent into hiding following the November 2002 attack and remained in hiding until his 2005 capture. He is also the nephew of former Turkmen Foreign Minister and political prisoner Boris Şyhmyradow.
Geldymukhammed Ashirmukhammedov is a Turkmen general who served in the military, police and security forces of Turkmenistan.