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Foregrounding diverse contributions written by scholars from the regions themselves - many of whom represent a new generation born after the Soviet collapse - this edited volume presents one of the most comprehensive studies of Central Asia and the South Caucasus to date.
The book's dual-regional scope is unique: by examining Central Asia and the South Caucasus side by side, the volume enables comparative insights into how different societies grapple with shared legacies of empire, contested borders, energy economies, religion, migration, and environmental crises. The first part of the volume provides in-depth country profiles that blend history, political analysis, and social dynamics, while the second part analyzes thematic issues ranging from the role of social media and grassroots activism to the role of religion in everyday lives and environmental degradation. Chapters introduce fresh approaches to understanding historical trajectories, authoritarian resilience, social movements, and decolonial debates. The volume also interrogates Russia's ongoing influence, China's rising role, and the regions' complex positioning between East and West.
By foregrounding local scholarship and decolonial thought, the collection offers an indispensable resource for students, policymakers, and academics seeking to understand the evolving politics, societies, and identities of these neighboring regions.
List of contents
Part I. Country Profiles 1. Armenia 2. Azerbaijan 3. Georgia 4. Kazakhstan 5. Kyrgyzstan 6.
Tajikistan 7.
Uzbekistan 8.
Turkmenistan Part II. Emerging Themes 9. The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict 10. The Dynamics of Iran's Religious Influence in Azerbaijan in the Post-Second Karabakh War 11. The Politics of Policing in Georgia: A Decade of Unchanged Paradigms 12. Kazakhstan's Economy: Stuck In Transition 13. Mobilising for Change: Grassroots Efforts in Almaty and the Struggle to Impact Local Political Authorities 14. From Hashtags to Handcuffs: Social Media, Protest, and Repression in Kyrgyzstan 15. The Political Ecology of Nature Conservation in Kyrgyzstan 16. New Uzbekistan-a More Religious Uzbekistan? Islamist and Secularist Discourse in post-Karimov Uzbekistan 17. Human Mobility in Central Asia: Defining and Redefining Identity
About the author
Erica Marat is a Professor at the College of International Security Affairs of the National Defense University, USA. Her previous publications include the
Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Central Asia (co-edited with Rico Isaacs, 2021).
