Life After the Soviet Union: The Newly Independent Republics of the Transcaucasus and Central Asia

By Nozar Alaolmolki

Examines the political, social, and economic issues confronted by each of the newly independent republics in the Transcaucasus and Central Asian regions.

In separate chapters covering Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, this book examines the impact of the radical social, economic, and political transformations enacted upon them by both Czarist Russia and then the Soviet Union.

With the demise of communist rule, Alaolmolki explores the efforts of the United States, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to influence the newly independent republics, specifically in connection with oil and natural gas concessions and pipelines. Included is a summary of recent developments and the prospect for economic and political progress in the republics.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0791451380
• ISBN13: 9780791451380
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 8.9"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Great Introduction to an Emerging Region

Alaolmolki has written a great introduction to a part of the world whose strategic importance is becoming clearer as time goes on. The book covers all of the former Soviet "-Stans," like Kazakh, Uzbek,Kyrgyz, etc. and provides brief introductory histories on them and their populations. It also covers contenders for regional supremacy which includes the traditional Russia, Iran and Turkey and newer regional players like China and the US. Interestingly, one learns that the goal of US Middle Eastern policy seems more intent on keeping Iran weak and unstable more than anything else. "Life After the Soviet Union" serves as a good, short-and-sweet introduction to a fascinating (to me, anyway) part of our planet. I read it for personal pleasure and to expand my own knowledge of the area, and though it is a poli-sci text it is very readable. Very much recommended.

Excellent resource, great reading

If you have an academic or casual interest in the Newly Independent states, this book is a gem. I purchased it for my own reading and enjoyment, and found it a pleasurable read. It covers economic and political issues with brevity and clarity, and provides an excellent quick look at these states. I recommend it to anyone, as the reading level is not as pedantic as some political science books tend to be and could as easily be enjoyed by a casual reader as a student of political science.