Daily Briefing Apr. 20: Dispatch from Turkmenistan, a stone's throw away from Iran

Tal Schneider joins us from Ashgabat, 10 miles from Iran; Lazar Berman breaks down the Islamic nation’s strategic importance; Sue Surkes on how April showers bring May wildflowers

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider, diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and environment reporter Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today’s episode.

We begin with a short report from near Turkmenistan’s border with Iran from Schneider, who is with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen as he is set to open Israel’s first embassy in the Islamic nation today

Berman discusses why the new Turkmenistan embassy is important to Israel’s strategic position in the region.

Reports are circulating that young MK May Golan may be up for the important role of New York consul. Why is she a controversial choice?

Surkes explains how the crazy spring weather could pay off with a late-season wildflower boom. Where should we go to find them?

And finally, Jews all over the world are currently counting the Omer. Before Surkes dives into the agricultural reasons, Berman explains what this practice is.