Historical Dictionary of the Chechen Conflict

(Hardback)

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Since the escalation of the war in the North Caucasus in the eighteenth century, the political map of the world has changed repeatedly and dramatically, and many major wars and bloody revolutions ripped through the world. But the nature of the struggle between Russia and Chechnya is still the same. The former wants to dominate Chechnya coercively, while the latter wants to win its freedom from Russia by force. Due to the power asymmetry of the sides to the violent conflicts, history has witnessed splendid tactics of guerrilla warfare developed by the fighting people of the region. The Historical Dictionary of the Chechen Conflict covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 500 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Chechen conflict.

Reviews

This work chronicles the history of 300 enduring years of conflict between Russia and Chechnya. In its modern form, this conflict coincides with the breakup of the Soviet Union. However, the overall history of the continual unrest is much longer than the post-Soviet era, and readers are provided with an excellent chronology and introduction to the problems, their aftermath, and various reasons for the longevity of the conflict. The explications by Askerov are insightful, and contrast in great part with what most people may have read in the papers or heard in television news accounts. This is not a new conflict brought about by the breakup of the former Soviet Union, but Russia's ongoing struggle for control of the area and Chechnya's quest to be free from Russia by whatever means. The author offers the reader an A-Z list of the people, places, and terms that are important to understanding factors underlying the drawn-out conflict. Supplying more than 500 cross-referenced entries, the author covers this conflict from numerous aspects. The volume offers an extensive bibliography for those wishing to delve deeper into the subject. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduates and above. * CHOICE *
The Historical Dictionary of the Chechen Conflict...provide[s], in a single volume, a plethora of information and resources on the long and controversial war. * The Russian Review *

Author Bio

Ali Askerov teaches peace and conflict studies at University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He has written extensively on ethnic conflicts, peace education, terrorism, and Russian politics.