Call it a love affair, an obsession with, or a shameless dash for cash while there is still some at the country's disposal, Germany's interest in Turkmenistan, a country in the iron grip of a dictator seemingly hell-bent on emulating the Kim dynasty's template for running North Korea, shows little sign of waning. At first…
Turkmenistan: Rumours of its Dead or Alive President Continue to Spin Around
The rumoured demise of Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedow seem for the time being at least to be exaggerated although quite who(now established - see Jamestown Foundation source) fed the media what appears to be false news and why has yet to be established. What though can be gleaned from one of the world's most closed…
In terms of investment and forward planning Liverpool have become everything Bayern Munich are now not
There should be little surprise attached to Liverpool's nonchalant brushing aside of Bayern Munich. For several seasons now the Bavarian's have been on the wane; their ageing squad and inattention to adequately replacing departed stars and those soon to retire has been masked by a marked deterioration of quality in the Bundesliga. Putting six past…
Heavy with irony and the abdication of moral responsibility, Germany and the EU seek further footholds in Turkmenistan
From what initially appeared to be more a one-way than a quid pro quo arrangement, evidence now suggests a far greater interest from Germany in Turkmenistan's affairs than why a reported $23 billion of the Central Asian republic's money is held in German bank accounts. When money talks even the angels listen, and one wonders…
The root of modern day megalomania stems from a simpler, less materialistic age
There are obvious comparisons to be made between Adolf Hitler's unrealized vision of building Germania, the architectural prize the Fuehrer wished to bestow upon himself and the nation once victory in the Second World War had been secured, and the megalomania displayed by Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedow that has seen the fruits of his skewed priorities represented…
Are Bayern Munich falling behind European rivals due to misguided loyalty to aging players and a lack of forward planning?
Bayern Munich's failure to adequately replace departed stars and an over-reliance on players either past their best or not of the required standard could see the German champions fall behind both European, and domestic rivals. The double-whammy loss of retirees Philipp Lahm and Xavi Alonso deprived the Bavarians' of two world class performers, arguably still…
Adria Airways widens regional reach with Paderborn base and additions to its fleet
Slovenian flag-carrier Adria Airways are to facilitate the opening of a new base in the German city of Paderborn with the addition of six Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft, sourced from the now defunct Switzerland-based Darwin Airline. Although only a single Saab will be based in the western German city it will enable Adria to connect…
Germany at the World Cup: A Poor Squad, A Noncompetitive Domestic League and An Out of Touch Head Coach
The unwritten rule suggesting that a Bayern Munich flushed with success and replete with ability is a veritable bellwether for the fortunes of Germany's national side appears, on the evidence of the early departure of Die Mannschaft from the 2018 World Cup, to have significant credence. Notwithstanding the annual cakewalk to the Bundesliga title Bayern…
Alpine Adventures, Soccer, Central Asian Autocracies & Secessionist Politics 