Russian-Arab Worlds: A Documentary History

The roots of the Arab world's current Russian entanglements reach deep into the tsarist and Soviet periods, and this book presents and contextualizes a set of primary sources translated from Russian, Arabic, Armenian, Persian, French, and Tatar. These sources highlight connections long obscured by disciplinary cleavages between Slavic and Middle East studies, and show how various Russian/Soviet and Arab governments sought to nurture political and cultural ties and expand their influence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 08 August 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The intricate web of Russian entanglements with the Arab world has its roots deeply entrenched in the tsarist and Soviet eras. To delve into these complex relationships, this book presents and contextualizes a diverse collection of primary sources, translated from Russian, Arabic, Armenian, Persian, French, and Tatar. These sources, spanning from a 1772 diary of a Russian naval officer to an Arabic slave sale deed from the Caucasus, an interview with a Syrian novelist educated in Russia, and numerous others, offer a unique glimpse into the historical dynamics.

Specialists and scholars with complementary language expertise introduce these archival, autobiographical, and literary sources, making them available in English for the first time. They shed light on previously obscured connections between Slavic and Middle Eastern studies, highlighting the multifaceted efforts of various Russian/Soviet and Arab governments to nurture political and cultural ties and expand their influence.

Spanning thirty-four chapters, this book explores the unintended consequences of these endeavors. It unveils the transnational networks of trade, pilgrimage, study, ethnic identity, and political affinity that state policies sometimes fostered and sometimes disrupted. Through the voices of missionaries, diplomats, soldiers, refugees, students, party activists, scholars, and spies, the book gives a human dimension to these interactions, showcasing the resilience and creativity of those who have navigated the Arab-Russian crossroads.

To enhance the reader's understanding of the historical context, specially commissioned maps are included, providing a visual guide to the expansion and collapse of empires, border changes, population transfers, and the creation of new nation-states that occurred during the two centuries covered by these sources.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of the Arab world's Russian entanglements, shedding light on the complex and multifaceted relationships that have shaped the region's history. Through the presentation of primary sources and expert analysis, it provides a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in understanding the intricate tapestry of the past.

Weight: 850g
Dimension: 186 x 262 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197605769