Russia and the New States of Eurasia The Politics of Upheaval [Paperback]

This book surveys the possibilities for future alignments both among the new states of the former Soviet Union, and between the new states and their neighbours.With the collapse of the USSR, Russia and the fourteen other bordering successor states have had to contend with an unpredictable international environment as they face internal political turmoil and economic chaos. This book surveys relations among the new states and neighboring countries.With the collapse of the USSR, Russia and the fourteen other bordering successor states have had to contend with an unpredictable international environment as they face internal political turmoil and economic chaos. This book surveys relations among the new states and neighboring countries.With the collapse of the USSR, Russia and the fourteen other successor states that border it have had to deal with an unpredictable international environment as they face internal political turmoil and economic chaos. This book surveys relations among the new states and neighboring countries, and identifies the key issues that will determine the long-term economic growth and political stability of this vast and vital region. The authors examine the historical legacies of the new states; the influence of ethnicity and religion; prospects for internal and external economic relations; foreign policy, military forces, and the debate over nuclear weapons; and the impact of Western policy in the region.Preface; Maps; Introduction; 1. The legacies of history; 2. National identity and ethnicity; 3. Religion; 4. Political culture and civil society; 5. The impact of economics; 6. Foreign-policy priorities and institutions; 7. Military issues; 8. The nuclear factor; 9. The Eurasian upheaval as process; Appendices; Notes; Index. Dawisha and Parrott have provided a concise, clear, well-written and well-timed volume that will help with the first task mentioned at the outset: getting the basics straight. Orbis ...no mere recounting of how the USSR brlC%