This timely, much-needed work maps out the possibilities and dangers that lie ahead for the nations of Central Asia and the Caucasus, helping readers understand this complex, crucially important part of the world. -book cover.

Part 1 Regional Essays -- 1. Central Asia as a Transitional Region: Destabilizing Factors since Independence (1991-2009) -- 2. Social Implications of Central Asia's Failed Transition -- 3. Elections in Azerbaijan and Georgia and Their impact on regional security -- 4. Oil and the Caucasus: Short- and Long-Term prospects -- 5. Major trends of significance to long-term stability in Central Asia -- Part 2 Country Profiels and Chronologies -- Section 1 Central Asia -- 6. Kazakhstan -- 7. Kyrgyzstan -- 8. Tajikistan -- 9. Turkmenistan -- 10. Uzbekistan -- Section 2 The Caucasus -- 11. Armenia -- 12. Azerbaijan -- 13. Georgia -- Part 3: Geopolitical Organizations -- 14. Commonwealth of States (CIS) -- 15. Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) -- 16. Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) -- 17. Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) -- 18. Organization for Democracy and Economic Development - GUAM -- 19. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Central Asia and the Caucasus -- Part 4: What the Future will hold for Central Asia and the Caucasus -- 20. Conclusion.