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In 2003-2004 I had the opportunity to live in a repressive regime, serving as a volunteer in the U.S. Peace Corps in Turkmenistan, a former satellite of the Soviet Union. I experienced what it is like to live in constant fear where it is dangerous to even mention the name of the cult of personality dictator for life unless you were praising or honoring him.

Where the only security is your family ties due to the constant chaos the dictator creates to hold power. Where the only news is propaganda. Where people were told where they would work and if they were allowed to travel. Where people could simply disappear, never to be heard from again.

I experienced living in

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