The essays brought together in this volume examine a number of subjects related to Russian culture and policy both in the Soviet period and since the break-up of the Soviet Union. While the majority discuss some aspect of the dramatic changes that have taken place in the former Soviet territories in Central Asia or the Caucasus, there are others that deal with the policies and attitudes of Russia's current ' neighbors/rivals, or review past Soviet policy and actions that have had a direct impact on the present situation. What emerges very clearly from these different works is that in the past three decades there have been three major events that have shaped the policy and attitudes of Russia seen today - the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the attacks of September 11, 2001.
The essays brought together in this volume examine a number of subjects related to Russian culture and policy both in the Soviet period and since the break-up of the Soviet Union. While the majority discuss some aspect of the dramatic changes that have taken place in the former Soviet territories in Central Asia or the Caucasus, there are others that deal with the policies and attitudes of Russia's current ' neighbors/rivals, or review past Soviet policy and actions that have had a direct impact on the present situation. What emerges very clearly from these different works is that in the past three decades there have been three major events that have shaped the policy and attitudes of Russia seen today - the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the attacks of September 11, 2001.