Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, conflict in the former USSR has been a key concern in international security. This book fills a gap in the literature on violent conflict, evaluating a region that contains all the modern ingredients for instability and aggression. Bringing together leading experts on war and security, the book addresses current debates in international relations about power, interests, globalisation and the politics of identity as major drivers of contemporary war. Incidents such as the 2008 Russo-Georgian conflict, the wars in Chechnya, and Russia's struggles over national identity and resources with former communist states are all thoroughly examined. With new issues like energy security, terrorism and transnational crime, and older tensions between East and West threatening to deepen once more, this is an important contribution to the international security literature.

‘Those who foolishly proclaimed the end of history after 1989 should read this engaging and scholarly book on the former USSR with great care. Balanced, sober, and above all comprehensive, there is no better starting-point for reflecting in depth on the past, present and future of this most troubled of spaces at the heart of a once great superpower.’

Michael Cox - Co-Director, IDEAS, London School of Economics and Political Science

‘This is a fine, stimulating collection of essays. Theoretically nuanced and empirically grounded, these essays combine an exploration of major theoretical issues in international relations with deep insight into both the dynamics of conflict in the post-Soviet space and the very nature of the polities in this region. This collection will be of enduring value to everyone who wants to understand what has been going on in the former USSR.’

Graeme Gill - University of Sydney

‘Put together, this brilliant collection of essays is the most sophisticated and intelligent analysis yet to appear of the range of conflicts in the former Soviet space.’

Anatol Lieven - King's College London, and author of Chechnya: Tombstone of Russian Power