Page 16 - Small Stans Outlook 2023

on-the-ground cooperation from Central Asian states eventually
materialising in its strategy of conducting “over-the-horizon” strikes against
terrorist threats in Afghanistan – is attempting to get its soft power foot in
the door with the ‘stans’. USAID was set to offer technical assistance to
countries on the Trans-Caspian route, including Tajikistan, to create a
common transit space across the region, local media reported in
September.

Fast-expanding rail networks, as well as the consequences of Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine, have also created a more favourable backdrop for
Turkey and Iran to pursue their ambitions and extend their influence all the
way to the Chinese and Russian borders, Christopher Weafer, CEO of
Macro-Advisory Limited, recently observed.

In October, the first Tajik freight train to take a route through Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan and Iran to reach Turkey was announced.

Also in that month, it was reported that Central Asia’s demand for jet fuel
had soared, with the region taking over from sanctions-hit Moscow as a
major air traffic hub.

3.3 External Environment - Turkmenistan

Pointing to severe falls in remittances that could be faced by Central Asian
nations as an example of economic turbulence that may be ahead, the
International Labour Organisation (ILO) in November warned that the
global labour market was worsening as a result of multiple economic and
political crises.

VoA, covering the release of the ILO Monitor on the World of Work,
published on November 1, quoted ILO director Gilbert Houngbo as saying
a trend in declining migrant workers' remittances “will easily shift into
political and social destabilization”. The recovery of the world’s labour
market was largely threatened by the ongoing war waged by Russia in
Ukraine and economic disruption in China, the report said.

16 Small Stans 2023 www.intellinews.com