Present-day Turkmenistan is ruled by Persia, Macedon and Parthia. Parthia establishes its capital in Nisa in Turkmenistan. Parthian rule is followed by Kagan rule in the sixth century. In the seventh century the area is conquered by the Caliphate. In the tenth century it becomes part of the state of the Samanadis.

In 1090 the Saljuq Sultanate conquers the region and in 1227 the region is conquered by the Mongols. Since 1400 the country is rules by Uzbeks. Parts of the area are part of Bukhara and Khiva. Since 1869 the area is controlled by Russia and later the USSR. Turkmenistan becomes a separate member of the USSR in 1924.

Following the end of the Cold War and the breakup of the USSR, the Republic of Turkmenistan declares its independence in 1991. Saparmurat Nijazov, former leader of the communists, becomes the first president of the new republic and still remains the supreme decisionmaker. In 1999 Niyazov's term is extended indefinitely by the parliament, which itself had taken office only a week earlier in severely flawed elections that included only candidates hand-picked by President Niyazov. The Democratic Party of Turkmenistan (DPT) is the only legal political party. Political gatherings are illegal unless government sanctioned, and the citizens of Turkmenistan do not have the means to change their government democratically.