The history of Azerbaijan is a chronology of its domination. Its most recent ruler was the USSR, but Azerbaijan has been within the boundaries of many conquerers from the Medians to Alexander the Great to the Arabs and Turks. Through the long history of foreign occupations, the Azeris have preserved a national identity and they have periodically generated local leaders. With the recent break up of the USSR, Azerbaijan can once again assert itself as an independent nation. Strategically located and of economic interest to other nations, Azerbaijan cannot be ignored. The Azeris are united by...

Over many centuries, and especially during the last century, Cambodia has experienced radical, even tumultuous changes in its political system and social order. Chronicling this country's evolution from absolute monarchy in the pre-colonial era up to the semi-democracy of today, this dictionary focuses on the personalities, constitutional dynamics, and major economic developments of the recent Sihanouk, Lon Nol, Pol Pot and Hun Sen administrations. Recognizing that considerable research remains to be done on Cambodia's political history and leaders, this reference work makes a large...

The modern history of Kyrgyzstan resembles a fascinating history of the Great Game (a term used to describe competition between the British and Russian Empires for domination in Central Asia). For centuries, various great powers and nomadic Khanates attempted to establish an ultimate control over this strategically important land, and the land populated by Kyrgyzs was fragmented between various political entities. Only at the end of the 19th century did the Russian Empire finally acquire control over this region. In 1924 the Kyrgyz land was united into a single political entity in the...

Turkmenistan is known for its huge oil and gas resources, as well as for the rich, complex, and captivating history of the Turkmen people. For centuries they were known as skillful and courageous warriors who left deep marks in the histories of other countries, such as India, Russia, Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Egypt. As craftsmen, they constructed extraordinary architectural monuments, whose ruins can be found all over the country, and famous Turkoman carpets are still highly valued in many parts of the world. Yet, for centuries, foreign invaders and local tribal conflict plagued...