Turkmenbashi's Reign of Terror

President for Life (2005): President Saparmurat Niyazov of Turkmenistan was the dictator famous in the West for his crazy decrees and bizarre personality cult. But for his people, there was nothing comical about his rule. Subscribe to Journeyman here: kzbin.info_c...
In Ashgabat, capital of Turkemenistan, the sun always shine on Turkmenbashi. Literally. His statues rotate to face the sun. His image is everywhere -- from the vodka bottles to the national airline. He's even renamed the days of the week after his dead mother. "He's clearly a paranoid leader with very strange sorts of behavioural patterns," states political analyst David Lewis. "He is brutal and violent."
Former foreign minister Avdy Kuliev agrees. "He's imprisoned many prominent people -- all of them subjected to tortures, horrendous tortures." Turkmenistan has one of the lowest life expectancy rates in region. Most of the people live in crushing poverty but an atmosphere of fear and intimidation prevents anyone speaking out.
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[@rontoews5570]

I crossed Turkmenistan in a tour bus in 2008. Ashgabat is certainly one of the oddest cities I have visited in a lifetime of travel. Niyazov died in 2006 and was replaced by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who has replaced the personality cult of Turkmenbashi with a personality cult of his own.

[@exstazius]

Do you still need a government "companion" to visit the country?

[@shellydrelly]

What things did you find most bizarre about the city? Did you get to get off the bus and explore the city at all? I wonder how quickly they replaced all the pictures everywhere to the new leader

[@idiotic-db8ed]

I'm always fascinated by the Central Asian countries.. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan. You just don't hear about them in the American media. Especially Turkmenistan, I didn't even know it existed until couple of years ago.

[@Ruder6163]

I live in the US and to be honest I think the reason we don’t hear about this nation is due to the US having diplomatic ties with them. It really contradicts the “save the people/world police “ bullshit that our media pushes. They’re no different from North Korea.

[@phil4863]

@@Ruder6163 exactly. It's like turkmenistan isn't as valuable or disobedient to USA as Syria or Afghanistan/Iraq is...so there's no need to humiliate/invade the country.

[@saidmaz7876]

Afghanistan is also Central Asia

[@frenchcat2910]

@@Ruder6163 Armchair geopolitics is so funny. Lol Turkmenistan declared its eternal neutral, meaning they're neither in the US, Russian, or Chinese orbits. If the US started missing with them its would open a new front with Russia and china. Both Russia And China see central Asia as there region of influence. Also China depends on Turkmenistans gas.

[@Ruder6163]

@@frenchcat2910 there are Americans military bases there

[@eaubert1]

"Because, in fact, a violent overthrow of a regime is illegal in any society" …. "Iraq is obviously an exception to that rule" - Priceless!

[@dennismartin5821]

Yes if there was only a hypocrisy meter, that we could just hook these scabs to.

[@TonyNewJersey1]

The hypocrisy in that... How was the US founded? By nicely asking the British, French, Spanish and Indians to please leave?

[@TheFikriez]

Well look at what happened before and after in Iraq,Libya !!!which one is you like before or after??

[@peteramarillo8952]

Saddam killed millions of his own people. That's why it's the exception to the rule. amen

[@eaubert1]

@Orbán Viktor Mihály .... Cholpon Ata is a place on lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan!

[@kluge1245]

This man was the inspiration for the joke about changing common words such as "positive" and "negative" in the movie The Dictator. The real life version changed days and months in the calendar.

[@AndikaPutra11]

The Republic of Wadiya in real life.

[@renlentlesstourist7574]

Hiv turkmenbashi

[@karimkiseka6032]

dude! thats funny AF!

[@poltronafrau]

​@Jesse Brennan it's almost like you don't understand the meaning of words. "reign of terror" does not imply anyone has died.

[@wickywoo1635]

Would you the Al Amin news? Or Al Amin news?

[@bryantalmary9921]

LOL

[@spencer871]

"The bird of happiness can sit on the head of the whole Turkmen people" wow, move over Shakespeare we got a poet here!

[@gandalfthegrey7934]

😂

[@onlimi616]

"The bird of happiness can sit on the head of the whole Turkmen people..." And it can deposit it's royal poop upon their shoulders and the back of their necks where it can be seen by all as a symbol of generosity from your leader. I think I could be a poet myself in that country!

[@gregoryburridge726]

An unabashably biased title and report on a country that mimics the propaganda stratagies of most other countries at least without "applying make up". Finger pointing, rather than thought provoking.

[@rocknrollmilitant]

You know, when Niyazov died, Kulyýew said "It is a great joy for all of us that he has freed the country from himself". Thug life.

[@elchasai]

I'd like to see an update of Turkmenistan under Gurbanguly

[@ivario]

Check Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - they did an excellent take.

[@elchasai]

@@ivario yeah ive seen that, it was good. love oliver wish he did more shows then once a week a few weeks out of the year.

[@genevieveshapiro6192]

supposedly there's a new religion there now. not islam. Turkmenbashyism.

[@elchasai]

@@genevieveshapiro6192 well there is certainly an abundance of idol worship there.

[@Boulberhane]

Borat should have been set here instead of Kazakhstan.

[@tally1604]

Sasha knew that Kazakhstan wouldn't physically harm him. He couldn't be so sure about Turkmenistan.

[@SmegmaMale69]

Kazakh government isn’t so different from this one believe me

[@redwater4778]

All refugees should be sent there.

[@legaciestr]

De Leonist kazakhstan is quite a lot freer than turkmenistan though.

[@EyesonEnforcement911]

@@tally1604 lol except Borat wasnt actually filmed in Kazakhstan bud. It was filmed in a Romanian Gypsy Village, but made it seem like it is Kazakhstan. So yes, he couldve made theovie in "Turkmenistan" if he really wanted to.

[@ramansridharan4562]

I visited Turkmenistan not too long ago (2013). I didnt really see any opression of anyone, but then again rumor has it all the opposition has already been dealt with. The standout parts to me (outside of Darvaza) are the gorgeous marble buildings in their capital's downtown that are clearly empty, being built just for their beauty (or for the president). Their National museum was 1/3 dedicated to the president, with photoshopped pictures of him actually interacting with his people and doing various things like winning nascar-style races, riding horses, or playing sports. Poorly photoshopped photos, mind you. Crazy place to visit.

[@basedsouljah]

Raman Sridharan He was dead by 2013 my man.

[@rajabouzeid8801]

@@basedsouljah the new personality cult is for the current president gurbanguly berdimukhammedov, just like his predecessor niyazov

[@scottleft3672]

Putin must be his puppeteer.

[@PP-tuga]

You can't see in nort Korea as well...

[@rimberse3405]

Well our streets are empty, because no one is allowed to leave their home when president passes through them with his escort. Even though they are going to pass only 5 hours after police locks all people in their homes. Of course you won't see opression of anyone, did you really expect to see such things in capital? Especially tourists aren't allowed to be in places, in which they don't want them to be. Yeah i agree on part with museum. I remember the day when we went with our school to museum, i was (12y.o.?) and i actually remember that whole point of exisiting it was just to show how president poses. Actually we have his portrait at work, home (not mine, no way), school, on cover of our books in school, notebooks, basically everywhere xD

[@Jaris84R]

at least they have the cleanest prostitutes in the region

[@cmlmonstar007]

Kazakhstan has those clean prostitutes 😒😒😒😒😒😒

[@denpadolt9242]

"Except for, *Turkmenistan*"

[@omaralial-haire7386]

Definitely not. There are high rates of HIV there. Use condoms.

[@timur742]

@@omaralial-haire7386 That's a quote from borat movie.

[@Lexus3377]

lol

[@jimmygt7020]

22:45 SEIZURE TRIGGER WARNING FOR THOSE WITH EPILEPSY.

[@ilanarhian]

Upvoting so people see this!

[@lisalangille2071]

THANK YOU! I have epilepsy,so seriously, thank you!!!

[@fishcereal9940]

This man is doing gods work

[@derekgulec147]

Upvote

[@kazakhseven]

No one is forever.

[@t3327]

sen kazakmisin? kal kalai bauirim?

[@TicTacYo100]

"My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! "

[@rimberse3405]

Unfortunately history shows that dictatorship is forever though, humans were always lead by leaders, pharaohs, kings, emperors, chancellors, presidents.

[@wharris7594]

Satans Kingdom Has Many Lies

[@doggonoburritos4327]

@@rimberse3405 Presidents are different though you get elected by people most of those are monarchies

[@hanifleylabi8071]

Ashgabat isn't Arabic actually, it's from the Persian Eshghabad.

[@kiskab9016]

Lived there 2 years, this is really hell there.

[@UnstoppableEmpire]

2 years only? That means you went to live there!

[@Ola_Uteligger]

Thia is what happens if you let Eric Cartman run a country.

[@penandsword4386]

[@trolllol5259]

North Korea of Central Asia

[@moviejose3249]

Dont the Brits worship the Queen lol

[@singhanmolpreet5935]

I was just about to type that and I saw your comment

[@adrianp7475]

do you know the north korea of west asia ?? no? it is the islamofascist regime of erdogan's turkey

[@treerat7631]

Yep

[@dejaporter7338]

@@moviejose3249 exactly

[@jacquesshellac2099]

Wow. Niyazov managed to turn Turkmenistan into a Tropico LARP.

[@AlternateHistory]

man you stole my words XD

[@denizmetint.462]

Althistory Luxembourg Letzebuerg

[@CandyHatsuneWolff]

"So sad."

[@luisitocomunista546]

We just need Penúltimo

[@edwardflickinger949]

"A violent overthrow of a regime is illegal in any society" Look at the U.S record of overthrowing regimes.

[@travelsofmunch1476]

2 in the last 20 years. Not great, not terrible

[@Ruder6163]

@@travelsofmunch1476 faaaaaarrrr more then that and if you want to consider failed attempts at toppling a government there are even more. Everyone is aware of Iraq and Afghanistan but the US also toppled Libya and Somalia. The US also had failed coups in Syria, Venezuela and Lebanon. This is all only in the last 2 decades and I’m probably missing some.

[@wharris7594]

Sick of figuring out people live many lies believing all history books

[@CandyHatsuneWolff]

@@Ruder6163 The thing is, we Americans are taught that we've never lost a war. If it's especially embarrassing like Vietnam, they say it was a non-war military operation and sweep it under the rug. In that example, it lead to the vilification of the U.S. soldiers who were forced to fight there. For a country that claims to love our armed forces, we sometimes treat them like trash when they come home damaged in body or mind.

[@Ruder6163]

@@CandyHatsuneWolff Trust me, I’m aware of all of this. I’m and American myself, first generation though. I feel like we children of immigrants have a different perspective though. But yeah, Americans are very easily talked into was.

[@fireice2037]

If north korea had oil. We would be singing praises to them too.

[@jcxkzhgco3050]

If they had oil, US would’ve invaded

[@AdstarAPAD]

Turkmenistan, just think North Korea with Oil.

[@eltoro1768]

I am from Turkmenistan, you are very wrong my friend. Whenever I read about my country from outside observers it seems like I am being presented a completely different dramatic picture of pseudo country...is it because they want to inject a democracy pill to us or because they want to teach us how to live?

[@AdstarAPAD]

El Toro Yes you do not want democracy. You have an absolute ruler who is almost worshipped as a God. And He had sometimes makes excentric laws.. So it is very much like North Korea.. But the differance is North Koreans live in poverty and sometimes suffer starvation. North Korea is a very poor country.Turkmen never have those problems and Turkmenistan is a rich country.. In this way they are very different.

[@Puzzoozoo]

El Toro The moment that megalomaniac nut job dies those 'ministers' will be fighting each other like cats in a sack to fill the vacancy.

[@samanodun6257]

+AdstarAPAD Turkmenbashy (means Head of Turkmens or Leader of Turkmens) died in 2006, so now Turkmenistan have democracy. People elects their leader. And no, Turkmenistan doesn't have much oil, but has 4rd largest Natural Gas reserves.

[@AdstarAPAD]

saman odun Ok Sorry my mistake. Turkmenistan is like Noth Korea but with a lot of Natural Gas..

[@swetshah92]

We know so less about the outside world. I feel immense sympathy for people of Turkmenistan. I hope they get a leader who cares for the nation and delivers prosperity to the people. greetings from India.

[@welcometolife4237]

Swet Shah lol says the india who killed a moslem. anyway hoping that your wish is not a hypocrisy. 😡

[@rimberse3405]

Aw, Indians as always very nice, glad to hear that, so thank you sir! :3

[@UnstoppableEmpire]

@@welcometolife4237 because every indian is an extremist right? Right?

[@lovely7840]

You mean a leader who creates big, clean, modern cities and has a healthy, well-fed population, doesn't care for the people? And the leaders of India, whose population mostly lives in poverty, and has some of the dirtiest cities in the world (no offence but its true), with many people housed in slums, and lots of corruption, "care for the people"? Read Turkmenbashi's book "Ruhnama" (available on PDF), and see if you think he was really a selfish egomaniac.

[@BelarusLukashenko]

@@lovely7840 I read his book recently and was surprised at his philosophy on life, history, and politics. Definitely worth reading before judging him

[@HesseJamez]

Kim Yong Un will be jealous....

[@sirazi11]

This place is a paradise compare to Saudi Arabia.

[@mfsneko1905]

@@sirazi11 can you expelain why turkemensitan better than saudi?

[@oubaydbady3632]

@@sirazi11 Yeah, can you explain why ? Saudi Arabia may be a total monarchy, but Turkmenistan is still way worse that Saudi Arabia.

[@thelastoftheuyghurs9861]

Turkmenistan is luckier than Uyghurstan...

[@tento2945]

+The Last of the Uyghurs i agree with you

[@spongebobsquarepants4137]

how so?

[@blackbird7048]

@Oğuzhan Moroğlu So they can build a brutal sunni caliphate like ISIL. If the Uyghurs want help from the world. They should share their territory with the minorities inside Xianjiang. Then, things can be moving to the right direction.

[@Beautiful-live]

Li Feng Bravo 🇯🇵 Japan,they had very super slogan about you👍🏻

[@nanismeelasla]

I hope Ughyrstan dosent go the way of Dzungaria

[@geniusmaterial1685]

I like how Turkmen are defending they country in the comment sections.

[@rimberse3405]

*their** No one defends this shithole, trust me, since i am turkmen. Tbh you won't see any turkmen here, because: 1. KZbin is blocked in Turkmenistan 2. You can barely watch any video at 240p with turkmen internet connection 3. They are too afraid to even express themselves here 4. Language barrier, we hardly learn any English beyond basics at school

[@cksskc412]

@@rimberse3405 I bet the ones who defend it here are government employees, am I right?

[@rimberse3405]

​@@cksskc412 Kinda. They can be goverment employees and also brainwashed people, who really support dictatorship. However normal people don't have access to KZbin, since it's blocked in TM, so yeah it's rather goverment employees.

[@awsomemodels]

@@rimberse3405 Come on you cant call your country a shitehole it doesnt have nearly as much problems as my country (Iraq ) at least turkmestan looks good even small cities still look decent enough so be thankful .

[@joshua011094]

@@rimberse3405do you guys have any social media in Turkmenistan? Like Facebook or Instagram? I assume you don't live there anymore since you have a KZbin account. How did you leave the country? I've heard it's very difficult for turkmen to leave their country

[@liamdatu9060]

Central Asian Countries are really beautiful. The people are gorgeous.

[@Paciat]

4:41 What a clever set of words. She said that he controls history. Not the books, not the archives, but he is teacher.

[@ernststavroblofeld1961]

I quite like Turkmenbashi's "Reign of Terror". Looks much better than Iraq today.

[@tapiwakay]

Maybe because it wasn't occupied by America?

[@chileanhussar2659]

+tapiwakay No, Turkmenistan is backed by Russia, and the Americans don't care on it.

[@ibokul837]

+Slavic Chilean from Latin America That's True ...We have got agreement with Russia for the Oil and gas...tHEY BUY FROM US CHEAPEST PRİCE AND THEY SELL İT TO EUROPE FOR 3 TİMES PRİCE

[@chileanhussar2659]

Ibo Kul What if Americans backed your country?

[@ibokul837]

+Slavic Chilean from Latin America You are from latin America, right? It's hard to say if American goverment backed us will be better than Russian back today? Cos American goverment's policy is exploit weak countries natural wealths like oil and gas, and make that country slaves to them you can see the results nowadays in Iraq and Afganistan!!!

[@MochiMegan]

Beautiful architecture.

[@Roxidius]

Blood diamonds are beautiful too

[@KlysmaTV]

looks like arab disneyland.

[@OwNLaM]

many of the buildings are simply shells clad in white marble. As above, its more like disneyland than a city. 10mins drive outside the city is nothing but desert, rock and poverty.

[@r.v.b.4153]

Robert Kraamwinkel Well. It's actually not Arabic. It's Turkish. But maybe it looks like Arab disneyland. I don't know;).

[@Roxidius]

Rex Brandsma It's not Turkish. It's Turkmen. u could call it Turkic. Anatolian Turks (whom u know as Turks of Turkey) and Turkmens are from the same branch of the Turkic tribes: the Oghuz branch ;) so we are kinda the same, but a bit different :)

[@arturs2436]

Niyazov died in 2006.I have read that his successor had the "Arch of Neutrality" removed from where it was and to replace it ordered the construction of "a 95-metre (312 ft) tall "Monument to Neutrality" which is located in the suburbs.[2] The president appointed Turkish construction firm Polimeks to carry out the demolition of the arch and the construction of the new monument.[4] The removal of Niyazov's golden statue was completed on 26 August 2010,[5] although it then became part of the new Monument to Neutrality. The statue no longer rotates."In essence he had the arch dismantled and (quasi) re-built(same height) outside the town with a slight different name.I have seen pictures,the appearances are just facially different to what is yet visible in this documentary.

[@ruslansultanov7909]

I'm originally from there and so glad moved to US. That place is hell

[@peruano-quichwa---aymara8611]

Given the US has good relations with Turkmenistan, it appears you have easier opportunities than North Koreans.

[@phil4863]

Was Soviet Turkmenistan better?

[@noobsaibot7006]

@@phil4863 it was bad not to mention the soviets barely invested in turkmenistan compared to other central asian countries

[@wharris7594]

how did you escape turkmenistan?

[@mayankbariar2930]

How did u escape from there?

[@gaylespencer6188]

They call him the "Great Turkmenbashi" which judging from his growing size seems quite appropriate. I look at the statues and the big picture posters and the real guy, and there's a disconnect. But, shhhh, don't mention it to him; it might be your last comment.

[@adamwalker6315]

"His image is everywhere" Not anymore. Gurbanguly Berdihamedov's (I think that's his name) face is everywhere now.

[@oubaydbady3632]

And now, it’s Serdar Berdimukhammedow that is everywhere.

[@bigcheemo]

Ashqabad, is not arabic for city of love, it is city of love in persian. "ishq" is love , and "abad" is abode, in Persian

[@johanhandelear3535]

Omar Cheema persian have arabic grammar

[@amirsabbaghi209]

@@johanhandelear3535 i'm persian and hell no

[@ChristianJiang]

amir sabbaghi I can’t believe Johan’s comment has got more likes than yours, wtf

[@1985persian]

@@ChristianJiang such nonesense reanson!😃 i confirm amir's coment and you can check it on google!

[@ChristianJiang]

@@1985persian I obviously know that Persian doesn’t have Arabic grammar lol. The two languages are completely unrelated.

[@tobi___]

Perfect country for the next Olympic Games or a worldcup :(

[@thomas3012]

Better than Qatar

[@michaelahern9883]

Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.....fifa would be interested if the money was right...

[@daraka1754]

I agree

[@daraka1754]

@@thomas3012 qatar is not bad choice, actually

[@TCFan30]

Except every town that hosts an Olympics gets trashed. Fuck the Olympics!

[@nirmalthomas]

This clearly shows the impact media has on our lives. Main stream media has never once said anything about this regime or dictator. On the other hand most of the world knows N Korea and its leader. If UN and other organizations are really bothered about human right violation then it has to apply to the entire world.

[@lovely7840]

It's very questionable if Turkmenbashi was as bad as they say. First they'd have to give some proof.

[@badwolf7367]

The UN bothered by human rightS violation? The UN is nothing more than another version of the League of Nations only less honest.

[@Hideyoshi1991]

North Korea has nukes, so it's scarier.

[@mccarthy155]

My friend, you could have looked it up.

[@wbbartlett]

Isn't this a failing on your part rather than any media outlets? There are plenty of ways to find info if curious or inquisitive enough.

[@jilldav3174]

Ashgabat when translated from the Persian means City of Love; nothing to do with "the Arabic" if the production company can get this basic factoid wrong- something easily checked- then what else has been misconstrued?

[@ShervMidi]

Was thinking the same. Lost credibility right from the start. lol

[@muqtadaabdulzahrah2643]

well to be honest -ishq a similar world also means love in arabic

[@marmary5555]

@@BlueSky-vd6qh the suffix _"abad"_ is fundamentally Persian. And BTW Southern Turkmenistan was and still is part of greater Iran, it's the ancestral homes of the Persians before they migrated to the Iranian plateau.

[@geoh7777]

Who said the media are interested in either disseminating truth or being correct?

[@dehechenka]

asghabad means long live love not city of love

[@Ainttnoway]

north koreamenstan

[@faro8784]

Darko lol

[@dragonwarrior5752]

Lol and who North koreamenistan's china? (ally)

[@ayushacharya972]

@@dragonwarrior5752 The Russian Federation The United States of America, and People's Republic of China All are okay with Turkmenistan to get oil and gas from them.

[@tylerbozinovski4624]

@@ayushacharya972 India too, with their whole India-Central Asia Economic Forum thing.

[@daraka1754]

No. Turkmenistan is more rich and have natural gas

[@RunwayIsAwesome]

Turkmenbashi is the real-life General Aladeen! AM I RIGHT?

[@suleyman8696]

No that was Gaddafi

[@ChristianJiang]

I went to Turkmenistan in 2019. Beautiful country, very underrated

[@PurpleBroadcast]

Its impossible to find an ugly country

[@RevolutionarySM]

This Central Asian North Korea is indeed supported by the USA, which few people know. Turkmenistan is yet another proof of how stalinism failed. Turkmenistan's leader used to be leader of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan, but he simply changed the name and ideology of his party after 1991. The Turkmen Socialist Soviet Republic became the Republic of Turkmenistan and the Communist Party of Turkmenistan is now called the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan. Ironic because both parties were neither communist nor democratic!

[@Kaergaard]

Its funny how socialist never know much about politics. Turkmenistan is supported by Russia, China and partly Turkey. They have little to no import/export to the US. Another failed socialist state. Congrats.

[@mustangjane1610]

America, the scapegoat of the world's problems.

[@treerat7631]

@@Kaergaard China and turkey support we don't have much too do with them

[@treerat7631]

Wrong turkey, and China not the us

[@icemachine79]

This is the reason nobody trusts socialists. Not even other socialists which is why you always end up trying to "purge" each other.

[@Helvett222]

2015 World Press Freedom Index : Turkmenistan rank 178 /180 countries (reporters without borders for freedom of information ).

[@sirazi11]

This place is a paradise compare to Saudi Arabia.

[@grammarnazi8191]

M & S Sharif stop it they make you think it’s paradise and you fell into their trap

[@Ruder6163]

@@sirazi11 Saudis are able to at least leave their country. If a state revokes you’re right to travel that trumps everything for me. That is slavery.

[@genericinternetmale14]

"He is the magic crystal"

[@samuelparker9882]

Paul Kerr Apparently so.

[@jondeare]

He had white hair and then it turned black. Thank god! He's young again!

[@salihmansur]

jondeare prematurely

[@lamisuegra]

The American ambassador needs to wipe the oil out of the corners of her mouth. Even she had a hard time keeping a straight face when attempting to explain the reasons why the US is willing to "overlook" the Turkmen government's attrocities. I think Washington would be willing to even give Pyongyang a bear-hug and a French kiss if they were sure to get some oil and gas out of the deal

[@treerat7631]

Every coutary looks the other way when it us in it own interest. Not just the United States

[@Glorious_Kim_Jong_Un]

*YOU SOUND SO SALTY!!!* 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@ayushacharya972]

@soflo23 You already hold on to nextdoor Afghanistan. "Taking their oil" should be easy, right? 😂

[@UNUSUALUSERNAME220]

Wow! What a humble, down to Earth kinda guy!

[@singhanmolpreet5935]

This is just like north korea. These dictatorships all have one thing in common- their populations are not very educated. If they were, they would never let such a person rule over them. The same reason despots and monarchs have ruled for so many centuries.

[@rimberse3405]

You can't blame them for not being educated, we don't have an education, we waste 75% of our time visiting the parades which president organizes, instead of studying at schools(be it math, literature or mechanical enginering). And no it is not voluntary, we are obliged to attend them.

[@singhanmolpreet5935]

@@rimberse3405 im sorry to hear that. I know it is very easy to type away on this screen and giving my insignificant opinion to you, and very, very hard to actually be experiencing that. But unfortunately that is the truth. We have a very bad government in India as well currently, but how are they ruling? Because 30% of India cant even read or write! To be able to make the right decisions, we need to be educated. Otherwise we have to let others decide for us. Its just how the world works, unfortunately...

[@rimberse3405]

@@singhanmolpreet5935 No need to be sorry, i don't expect you to know everything about my country, glad to share some light. Indians are most kind people i've encountered in my life. I know India also has it's own problems with jobs, poverty. But from what i've read India is really democratic country.

[@linyuan9096]

It's great to have some documentries on countries that not everyone know about.

[@PBRStreetgang]

People interested in the cult of personality and who are researching repressive nations are quick to look at North Korea, completely overlooking Turkmenbashi and his clamp-down of Turkmenistan. This remains the best documentary made so far; thanks Journeyman Pictures.

[@aliens6681]

DICTATOR DICTATOR DICTATOR DICTATOR DICTATOR BEDNIE LIUDI Бе́дные лю́ди Бе́дные лю́ди

[@chileanhussar2659]

ukrainian detected

[@dateddelvings1695]

This documentary has cool background music. Does anybody know what the music is at 0:19, 6:13, 8:51, and 19:56?

[@MortonHD]

I am curious too.

[@ufsteropolstero6014]

6:13 is a melody from a song from turkish singer Edip Akbayram, called Hava Nasil Oralarda.

[@montengro234]

7:34 scary

[@johnmarkraddatz]

This is like the DPRK.

[@t3327]

CaptainCool07 chinkland are 100% fashist dictatorship

[@heftarc3290]

no make ups, i call that progressive.

[@blue_seabreeze1016]

So true

[@labeledblack7]

That's one part of the deal. The other part is: wearing make up was (not sure if it still is since the guy's dead) punishable by death.

[@onamemmet]

And they look so fine.

[@redjirachi1]

Turkmenbasi's ego is the equivalent to a zeppelin; enormous, yet empty

[@mangomerkel2005]

And imagine now that we still, after more than 20 years, don't know if Şyhmyradow is alive...

[@weirdshibainu]

Wouldn't want to live there, but for some reason, I have a morbid curiosity about these types of nation/cults.

[@Dinhaya]

I think some countries are better to be rule by dictatorship. Iraq under Saddam Hussein were a peaceful country, Libya under Gadafi were much safer. What do u expect?

[@declannewton2556]

All countries are better to ruled as a dictatorship, democracy leads to anarchy and poverty.

[@witnesshowimgood]

My ancestors on father's side are from Turkmenistan and it's sad to see how this country faced with a dictatorship of two arrogant people. I hope Turkmenistan gain his freedom and i can visit the homeland of my ancestors.

[@mastercheif878]

Oil? There’s oil? Think this place definitely needs some freedom

[@by.aali.g]

If been in Turkmenistan recently, not really bad. Country with nice landscape and their people also friendly and beautiful.

[@shellydrelly]

Were there pictures of the new leader plastered everywhere?

[@by.aali.g]

@@shellydrelly I would say yes. Lots of pictures of their new leader. Even their domestic flights also got pictures of their leader hanged in the cabin. If you got the front seat, it might be an uncomfortable journey.haha 😅

[@thomast7748]

Yes, beautiful, specially the president, the most handsome man in the world.

[@TheAkaboyboy]

This is pretty frightening... its so sad to see how brainwashed some people can be.

[@S4NY4RKuRDBoZZ]

+Kristapor Aintabtsi Just come to Iraq and look what Turkmens do.

[@emperoruzbekistan561]

+Kristapor Aintabtsi Do you wanna know something about Turkmenistan? Do you ever go to Turkmenistan? Or you just think "North Korea"?

[@TheAkaboyboy]

Emperor UZBEKISTAN I know enough, thanks.

[@chileanhussar2659]

+Emperor UZBEKISTAN northmenistan for sure

[@S4NY4RKuRDBoZZ]

Kristapor Aintabtsi We in Iraqi Kurdistan have a lot of problems with this Cry Babies and their ASSyrian Friends.

[@dsnodgrass4843]

This piece got you my subscription. One minor question. What was that beautiful choral song at 14:00? It was so lovely I couldn't concentrate on what was being said.

[@nicolek4076]

+D Snodgrass It is indeed beautiful. I cannot tell you exactly what it's called, but it is part of the Russian Orthodox liturgy

[@macoute21]

I also wanted to know

[@Berkham1995]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXzJlZ5_iNqnfLc

[@kristianbrandt3012]

Well he was obviously mental.

[@jem.b628]

"Whoever our beloved state was or is being reigned by, thanks to them our lord has given us this gold epoch with their hands, We're happy with them, regardless what others might talk" "Öňe diňe öňe jan watanym Türkmenistan..."

[@hansdov5004]

🤦‍♂️ shey diy, gozini ach käwagt

[@Charliecomet82]

"I set it to 'Turkmenbashi' instead of 'Turkmenbashi!'"

[@Thecollectingman42]

Anyone know the name of the music around 14:20?

[@AmeliaChester-ml5ej]

North Korea is crying right now.

[@Joe-po9xn]

That awkward moment when your country is so brutally repressive that Russia seems like a step up.

[@samdobie6748]

A massive step up

[@zenaidebuonaparte3882]

I'm jealous. I wish I could be the Queen of my own realm and build Golden statues of myself. I wouldnt oppress my ppl though...everyone would have access to what they need and a high standard of living. Ahh tis the dream...

[@DeVolksrepubliek]

What is the music called that starts at 6:13?

[@maheshprabhu2567]

The way they praise him while keeping a straight face.... need that level of self control in life..

[@jcvilla75]

I wonder if they know how hard we laugh at this. It's sad. Great journalism by the way.

[@merlangga8224]

beautiful country

[@bluecalu7944]

Must be a beautiful country. No porn movies. Less crime. No female strippers. No half naked walking. Descent country.

[@Tomytoism]

I mean yeah it's silly and everyone knows what is going on, but you gotta understand the western type of lifestyle not gonna work everywhere in the world. Turkmenistan has stability and it's what makes them live another day. I would really hate to see west bringing "democracy" there, it would be Iraq 2.0 where after Saddam was overthrown everything went from bad to horrible. Let them live

[@Bear-Cohiba-1966]

Good lord look at the gold

[@zambimaru]

Sapamurat is pretty much a replica of Kim Il Sung and Turkmenistan a replica of North Korea.

[@RenzottiOficial]

Believe me, North Korea is just a joke beside this crazy man

[@WhiteNoize01]

Does anyone know the name of the music used in this video?

[@UCSPanther20]

Why oh why does Rob Conway's theme song "Just look at me" seems so fitting here...

[@MilDarkAngel]

This is so creepy!! What's wrong with all this people that gets in the power and never wants to leave??! They think they are gods and perfect...they are just humans!!

[@vegassims7]

I hope he enjoyed himself on earth, because I doubt there is room enough for himself and God in heaven.

[@wharris7594]

A Puppet Of Satan Make His Peoples Life Miserable Then Going To Hell The World Is Satans Playground

[@phil4863]

Spirit of pride( Lucifer's main sin)

[@paulohagan3309]

If he was paranoid, it's likely he didn't have much happiness with all his wealth and power. This kind of person craves power and wealth and so takes over many countries in the world, unfortunately. But it's a kind of sickness. So after all the effort to make themselves big and ruining a country and its people, these pieces of work don't even enjoy the power they attain. Stalin was known to be paranoid and no doubt the same is true of the Kims in North Korea. It's truly a tragic situation all round.

[@skogstjuven2098]

Meanwhile, in the Hall-of-Justice!

[@guneslawguneslaw]

Turkish-islamic version of North Korea!

[@catiline1]

north korea is that you?

[@JosephStalin11]

Interesting how Turkmenbashi has created his own religion infusing it with Islam. The country presented by this video does make me interesting in visiting just like North Korea some day.

[@chancesareshewears]

US and UK is also a ONE party state. This kind of propaganda is sickening.

[@hairypotter.]

wow my dad had that camera at 1:59 in the video , now i have it as a reminder of those good old days !

[@arte0021]

But isnt this considered idolatry in islam? Arent they all technically infidels?

[@Ark_x]

Pretty much.

[@Reemalarawi]

no

[@chrishenniker5944]

The Turkmen people could practice a form of folk Islam, for all I know, but technically speaking, yes.

[@imgonewiththewindfab]

His loyal dentist is now the 2nd president.. a funnier version of the first

[@rgaud8]

What an oddly interesting place. I wouldn't mind visiting it.

[@DArceVaderBJJAimanZinbi]

I'm sorry to be that guy but Ashgabad is not entirely arabic but farsi, -abad being a farsi suffix for many cities in central or south asia (Islamabad, Ahmedabad, Jalalabad etc.). "Ashgh" or "Eshgh" on the other hand, which means love in farsi, is indeed originally derived from the arabic word " 'ishq" which indeed means love.

[@KarausTheReTeller]

He tried to be Atatürk of Türkmenistan. Ata-Türk = Father-Türk. Türkmen-başı = Türkmen-leader(head). Türkmen and Anatolian Türkish are so related I understood %80 of what they have said. But only our "s" letter sounds are different.

[@0Er0]

Tried to be Ataturk became Erdoğan.

[@MARK2000]

He actually became Edrotürk

[@blackstar19gammaburst85]

I read that people of instanbul have a much harder time undertanding turkmens. Eastern Turkish and Azerbaijan people supposedly understand more

[@KarausTheReTeller]

Yes that's why I said 80%, their language is Oghuz, ours is Oghuz too, but the intelligibility between Anatolian, Balkan and Azerbaijan Turkish and Uzbek which is a non-Oghuz language is around 85-90%. Anatolian, Balkan and Azerbaijan languages' intelligibility is nearly 100%, somewhere around 95-100%.

[@ekremtunc819]

@@mehmetkilic2334 Ataturk was a soldier in the first place, a Marshall and a militaristic genius who got rid of 7 different foreign invader who defeated one of the key actor of ww2 the Winston Churchil in ww1 Gallipoli war and became reason of Churchil's demotion and claimed heartland of Ottoman back alongside almost all the rights of Dardanells back. In the other hand, this turkmen dictator is nothing but harm to turkmenistan. I would support such genius people like Ataturk that others call "dictator" but a liberator over the ones such as turkmenbashi always.

[@johnnykibs]

This is what happens when you got money and OCD

[@SotoAdvert]

Lol

[@gwinnet3142]

Thanks 🙏 for interesting video

[@gordonferrar7782]

I love you dear leader for helping to distract us from how things really are

[@vladilenkalatschev4915]

I "love" Americans speaking about "human right" in foreign countries.

[@spencer871]

I love when countries with abysmal human rights records cry about murica bein evil as an excuse to not do anything about human rights. It's adorable. No I'm not American either.

[@Dicknballz52]

Enjoy your villages and starvation Vladilen

[@cameroncandelaria469]

I’m an American, we have no rights.

[@betelge]

I "love" when dirty russians mention "human rights" in foreign countries

[@Blaze6432]

Last time I checked...…….this guy doesn't sound remotely American.

[@musinadilet]

Salamwaleykum!!! Turkmenstan Kazakhstannan Salem!!!

[@lee-wy9th]

This is so badass it's disgusting! Was this filmed on location? (Mars)

[@1425363878]

He had me at banning makeup on television.