PoliticsIs Turkmenistan's secretive presidency becoming a family affair?
Son of Berdymukhamedov 'the protector' rises amid political and economic changes
Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov arrives for the Japanese emperor's enthronement in 2019: His succession plans are stirring speculation as his son rises through the ranks. © AP
PAUL BARTLETT, Contributing writer
ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- In the closed world of Turkmenistan, one man dominates the political scene: Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, the long-ruling president. Recent developments, however, are leading observers to wonder if the leadership is about to become a family dynasty.