In separate chapters covering Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, this book examines the impact of the radical social, economic, and political transformations enacted upon them by both Czarist Russia and then the Soviet Union. With the demise of communist rule, Alaolmolki explores the efforts of the United States, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to influence the newly independent republics, specifically in connection with oil and natural gas concessions and pipelines. Included is a summary of recent developments and the prospect for economic and political progress in the republics.