Cutting the Lines

Okay, this is just strange.

Turkmenistan has closed down all its international courier companies, the main postal link between the country and the outside world.

The Ministry of Communications said couriers' licences would not be extended, without explaining why.

Turkmenistan is already an extremely isolated country and the move will hit hard, especially businesses and the foreign community.

Big couriers like Federal Express and DHL are lifelines to the outside world.

Many embassies and most businesses send all their documents and other post through them.

Hopefully the BBC will follow up on this, instead of glossing it over and then ignoring it. This could potentially be a pretty big deal.