Islam in Russia: The Politics of Identity and Security : The Politics of Identity and Security

This richly detailed study traces the shared history of Russia and Islam in expanding compass - from the Tatar civilization within the Russian heartland, to the conquered territories of the Caucasus and Central Asia, to the larger geopolitical and security context of contemporary Russia on the civilizational divide. The study's distinctive analytical drive stresses political and geopolitical relationships over time and into the very complicated present. Rich with insight, the book is also an incomparable source of factual information about Russia's Muslim populations, religious institutions, political organizations, and ideological movements. The transformation of a multi-ethnic, multi-confessional, post-totalitarian, and post-colonial society is the framework within which Hunter (Center for Strategic and International Studies) analyzes the current status of Islam and Muslims in Russia, assesses the impact of the Islamic factor in the evolution of Russia's internal situation and external relations, and predicts the most likely direction in which the Russian society and polity will evolve and the position of Muslims within it. During the same five centuries that Russian identity, values, and culture have been dominant in the region, he says, those of Islam have been striving for self-assertion and self- determination there. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR