During the next half-century , Turkmenistan played its designated economic role within the Soviet Union and remained outside the course of major world events . Even the major liberalization movement that shook Russia in the late 1980s had little impact . However , in 1990 the Supreme Soviet of Turkmenistan declared sovereignty as a nationalist response to perceived exploitation by Moscow . Although Turkmenistan was ill-prepared for independence and then-communist leader Saparmurat Niyazov preferred to preserve the Soviet Union , in October 1991 the fragmentation of that entity forced him to call a national referendum that approved independence . On 26 December 1991 , the Soviet Union ceased to exist . Niyazov continued as Turkmenistan 's chief of state , replacing communism with a unique brand of independent nationalism reinforced by a pervasive cult of personality . A 1994 referendum and legislation in 1999 abolished further requirements for the president to stand for re-election ( although in 1992 he completely dominated the only presidential election in which he ran , as he was the only candidate and no one else was allowed to run for the office ) , making him effectively president for life . During his tenure , Niyazov conducted frequent purges of public officials and abolished organizations deemed threatening . Throughout the post-Soviet era , Turkmenistan has taken a neutral position on almost all international issues . Niyazov eschewed membership in regional organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation , and in the late 1990s he maintained relations with the Taliban and its chief opponent in Afghanistan , the Northern Alliance . He offered limited support to the military campaign against the Taliban following the 11 September 2001 attacks . In 2002 an alleged assassination attempt against Niyazov led to a new wave of security restrictions , dismissals of government officials , and restrictions placed on the media . Niyazov accused exiled former foreign minister Boris Shikhmuradov of having planned the attack
11 September 2001 attacks
September 11 attacks
Turkmenistan