The north Caucasus barrier : the Russian advance towards the Muslim world

A look at why the North Caucasus remains the least sovietized and secure part of the USSR, even though the Russian drive to these parts began in the 16th century. The author focuses on the domestic factor - resistance to conquest and uprisings in the North Caucasus and Central Asia. This work deals with the history of the Muslim North Caucasus, one of the most rebellious colonial dominions left to Russia. The writings cover a span of four centuries, from Ivan the Terrible's strategic alliance with Circassian noblemen to the crisis in Chechnya.