Between Marx and Muhammad: The Changing Face of Central Asia

by Dilip Hiro

As each of the newly-independent Muslim-majority states of Central Asia struggles to find an identity, ethnic tensions have frequently given rise to political turbulence and civil strife. The author discusses to what extent Turkey's model of secular democracy will prevail over the fundamentalist regimes of Iran and Afghanistan; what role Russia will play in the area; and what chance the free market and multi-party democracy will have in these conditions.

Genres: History, Middle East

Paperback

First published March 7, 1994

Reviews

[Matthew Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging discussion of the formation of the independent republics of Central Asia and the paths they were likely to take as they developed and diverged from Soviet policy in the 90s. While hiro failed to anticipate the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban or the meteoric rise of china and it's developing relationship with Central Asia a lot of what he says rings true. this is definitely worth a read for all interested in the history and politics of this region

[Ajda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really, really boring.