Caspian Transit Leverage: New reporting argues the U.S. blockade is being sidestepped as Russia keeps Iran’s military capacity alive via Caspian-linked deliveries, while China’s role is framed as more surveillance and dual-use inputs than direct rescue. Afghan Power Push: Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat says a 500 kV transmission line project with Turkmenistan is advancing fast, with completion expected in about a year, and more proposals to follow in Kabul. Central Asia Trade Upshift: The EDB puts 2025 intra-regional trade at $12.3bn—nearly double since 2020—with Turkmenistan’s supplies up 2.8x to $1.3bn, led by natural gas and electricity. Water Skills for Industry: A Tashkent workshop is rolling out integrated water resources management curricula across Central Asian universities, including Turkmenistan, with modules on watershed and groundwater modeling. Turkmen-Azerbaijan Urban Ties: Arkadag construction chief Deryageldi Orazov met Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev on WUF13 sidelines, with restoration plans and a Fuzuli mosque project highlighted. Education & Energy Links: Turkmen oil-and-gas academia continues China cooperation, while White City Ashgabat 2026 prepares for 24–25 May with new international sponsors.