Although the name Caucasus has been around for some 2000 years, and may
suggest unity and coherence, the region these days is best known for the
ethnic and religious divides resulting in recurrent bloody conflicts
between the various minorities and the post-Soviet independent states.
Geographically, the Caucasus has traditionally been a buffer between
Russia, Turkey and Iran. Part Russian Federation, part Georgia, Armenia
and Azerbaijan, the area has a tradition of fast-shifting partnerships,
of rich and varied cultural heritage, and fierce ethnic tensions going
back centuries. This fascinating volume creates an illuminating
perspective on the politics, history and culture of the Caucasus: it
includes an account of how several 19th century Hungarian linguists
fascinated by the region's famously difficult languages conducted field
research still used by politicians to prove or disprove ethnic links; an
analysis of the recurring forcible movements of the people; a study of
the region's Russian Imperial past; an exploration of the Muslim
North/Christian South division in the context of the recent conflicts
and their international ramifications; the elite-driven nature of the
region's politics; finally, the role of art as a medium of freedom in
the war-torn zones of the region. Necessary reading for everyone with an
interest in the history of one of the world's tinderboxes.