"In Across Cultures and Empires, Mahir Ibrahimov provides a personal narrative of his experience serving in the Soviet army as a minority--an Azeri-experiencing disillusionment with communism; watching the fall of the Soviet Union; working in the newly-independent Azeri government; immigrating to the United States in search of freedom; and work with the US Army in Iraq. His unique multiple-language ability propelled him into positions that gave him unique vantage points for observation that generated insights into the different cultures he experienced and allowed him to draw connections and observations about freedom and America's role in the world, the different cultures he experienced, war, peace, the fight against terrorism, and the role of religion. It is an immigrant's story told from a unique perspective"-- Provided by publisher.

Soldier of the empire : beginning of the end --The search for identity -- The disappearing empire : cultural, ethical and geopolitical implications -- A socialist democracy -- An immigrant's dream -- The real weapon of mass destruction -- Clash of cultures and casualties of war -- Rising with hope from ashes -- Homeland.