Our Global Studies Series provides students with comprehensive background and current information shaping regional cultures and countries of the world today. Each volume features country report essays and maps as well as relevant articles from world-wide publications. Visit www.mhcls.com/globalstudies/ for more information.
Table of Contents:
Internet References for Russia and the Near Abroad
U.S. Statistics and Map
Canada Statistics and Map
World Map
Russia and the Near Abroad Map
Russia Statistics
The Eurasian Republics
The Soviet Union
Russian Federation: Economic and Political Change 1992–2009
Russia’s Foreign Relations
Country Reports
Ukraine
Belarus
Moldova
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Central Asia
Uzbekistan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Turkmenistan
Tajikistan
Articles from the World Press
Russia
1. The Scythians, Alexander Blok, Moderm Russian Poetry: An Anthology, Translated from the Russian by Babette Deutsch and Avrahm Yarmolinsky, New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1921
This poem captures the ambivalent (love-hate) attitude Russia harbors toward Western Civilization and toward Western Europe in particular.
2. The Kremlin Begs to Differ, Dimitri K. Simes and Paul J. Saunders, The National Interest, October 2009
Russia has been a difficult interlocutor since its independence nearly two decades ago and is unlikely to become an easier one anytime soon.
3. The Bells, Elif Batuman, The New Yorker, April 2009
An article on the Danilov Bells and the preservation of a piece of Russian history.
4. To Die for Tallinn, Pat Buchanan, Creators, May 2007
Estonian nationalists have clashed with citizens of Russian ancestry over the perceived insult to Russia and the "liberators" of Estonia from the Nazis.
5. McCain, Obama and Russia, Stephen F. Cohen, The Nation, June 2008
Stephen Cohen, professor of Russian Studies at New York University, discusses recent U.S.-Russia relations.
6. Why Russia Is So Russian, Andrew C. Kuchins, Current History, October 2009
This article reviews the traditional themes that marked the continuity between Russian czarist and Soviet foreign policy.
7. Fear Comes to the Russian Heartland, Owen Matthews and Anna Nemtsova, Newsweek, February 2009
Owen Matthews and Anna Nemtsova review Moscow’s relationship with the communities within the Russian heartland.
8. Pride and Power, Richard Pipes, The Wall Street Journal, August 2009
Richard Pipes makes the case for Western powers to patiently convince Russians to adopt Western institutions and values which will curb Russia’s aggressiveness and integrate Russia into the global community.
9. Speech at the 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy, Vladimir Putin, February 2007
Vladimir Putin discusses the reasons for Russia to carry out an independent foreign policy.
10. The Incredible Shrinking People, The Economist, November 2008
A discussion of factors leading to Russia’s declining population.
11. NATO and Russia: Partnership or Peril? Dmitri Trenin, Current History, October 2009
Dmitri Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, discusses the tenuous relationship between NATO and Russia.
12. Gorbachev on 1989, Katrina vanden Heuvel and Stephen F. Cohen, The Nation, November 2009
A wide ranging topical interview with former soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. He discusses the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Russia’s relationship with Afghanistan among other subjects.
13. What the World Really Wants, Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek, May 2006
Russians still rate democracy as something they like and value according to Fareed Zakaria, but what they value above all else is access to a means to improve their quality of life.
14. Russia’s Search for a New Migration Policy, Zhanna Zayonchkovskaya, European View, Spring 2007
Zayonchkovskaya discusses Russia’s search for a new migration policy in light of its steadily declining population.
Near Abroad
15. Behind the Central Asian Curtain: The Limits of Russia’s Resurgence, Alexander Cooley, Current History, October 2009
Alexander Cooley reviews the recent events that have made Moscow’s attempts to preserve its exclusive regional control seem no longer feasible or cost-effective.
16. Armenia: Parliament Debates Diplomatic Normalization with Turkey, Gayane Abrahamyan, Eurasianet, October 2009
Despite all of the political maneuvering, Armenia and Turkey are expected to resume diplomatic relations.
17. Azerbaijan Can Resort to Multiple Options for Its Gas Exports, Vladimir Socor, Eurasia Daily Monitor
Azerbaijan is actively considering other markets and pipeline options for its lucrative commodity, natural gas.
18. Belarus after Its Post-Georgia Elections, Andrew Wilson, European Council on Foreign Relations, October 2008
This article presents a revealing look at Belarus and its relationship with the European Union.
19. Marching through Georgia, Wendell Steavenson, The New Yorker, December 2008
The article conducts an attempt at reappraisal of the August 2008 Russian-Georgian war and of circumstances and factors that led to it.
20. The Country That Europe Forgot, The Economist, May 2007
A look at Moldova’s breakaway region of Transdniestria (Transnistria).
21. Counterterrorism Operations Continue in Tajikistan, Andrew McGregor, Terrorism Monitor
A review of the counterterrorism efforts in Tajikistan and the individuals involved in the effort.
22. Uzbekistan Challenges Regional Electricity Supplies Network, Erica Marat, Eurasia Daily Monitor
Uzbekistan’s decision to leave the Central Asian electricity supplies network could have far-reaching implications for the region.
23. Ukraine—From Orange Revolution to Failed State? Andrew Wilson, European Council on Foreign Relations, May 2009
Andrew Wilson describes a perilously balanced Ukraine state grappling with numerous problems.
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
Bibliography
Index
