Brothers at Each Other's Throats: Regularity of the Violent Ethnic Conflicts in the Post-Soviet Space illuminates how, at the end of the Cold War, the collapse of the Soviet Union considerably enhanced and promoted ethnic conflicts in Eurasia. The text explains how the emergence of newly independent realms caused many ethnic groups to jump at each other's throats in an effort to claim territory and establish dominance. Opening chapters explore the meaning of ethnicity, review principal characteristics of ethnic groups and nations, and place ethnic groups within the context of the modern world. Students learn about the reaction of ethnicity to challenging circumstances through the historical example of the Ukraine and its interactions with neighboring groups and powers. Chapters 4 and 5 examine the impact of all-sided social crises on peoples and their interactions, as well as the driving forces of ethnic conflict: ethno-political elites and charismatic leaders. Additional chapters examine the ideology of ethnic conflicts and the cyclical pattern and typology of violent ethnic conflicts. Students review timeline-based accounts of violent ethnic conflicts in the post-Soviet space and between Russia and the Ukraine. The closing chapter covers external factors that exacerbate the conflicts, including conflict propaganda and the Eurasian debate in Russia and its impact on current Russian policy towards the Ukraine and the West.
Anatoly Isaenko is a professor of history at Appalachian State University, where he teaches courses in revolution and social change in the world, history and culture, themes in global history, ethnic conflicts, history of world terrorism, and the Soviet Union and Russia. He holds a Ph.D. in global history from Moscow State University and was a professor and chair of Medieval and Ancient History at North Ossetian State University in Vladikavkaz, Russia. Dr. Isaenko has authored 10 books and edited collections, and 130 articles, conference papers, and other publications.
"This is a unique study of ethnic conflict in the former USSR. The author explores the origin and evolution of ethnic conflicts in the former USSR that most Americans would never hear about, let alone understand. Some of these conflicts have invited U.S. government intervention in the past, so it would behoove all Americans to possess an elementary understanding of the issues involved. In addition, the author possesses unusual linguistic abilities which help provide him with a deep understanding of the peoples covered. He is well equipped to understand primary source materials that few outsiders have access to." Wayne Morris Author of "Stalin's Famine and Roosevelt's Recognition of Russia"
