Abstract
This paper discuss a major scholarly work that examines the eventful history of Russia, Central Asia, and Mongolia. It analyzes David Christian's text, "A History of Russia, Central Asia and Mongolia" and focuses on how climactic realities of the European continental interior produced insulated "warrior" states that were alternately insecure and intrepid in their pursuit of glory and tribute. It describes the toughness of the climate and the curious geography of the continental interior.

From the Paper
"David Christian has done a marvelous job of capturing the manner in which topography, climate and a few well-placed mountain ranges can produce militarism, insularity, suspicion and, in the case of Russia, comparatively sparse populations. Courtesy this investigation, it becomes evident that many of the unflattering characteristics westerners ascribe to both the Russians and Chinese today are the products of hardscrabble existences in an environment that facilitated military struggle. Beyond that, the geography and topography of Inner Eurasia locked these peoples off from the outside world in such a way that they became insular and inward-looking - a sure prescription for the sort of paranoia and xenophobia that often drives military expansionism and preparedness. In the end, just as scholars once thought that biology determined destiny, so too may it be said that the history of Inner Eurasia has been remarkably shaped by geography."

Tags:climate, continental, interior, security

Abstract
The paper looks at a major scholarly work examining the eventful history of Russia, Central Asia, and Mongolia. In particular, the paper looks at David Christian's text and focuses upon how the climactic realities of the European continental interior produced insulated "warrior" states that were alternately insecure and intrepid in their pursuit of glory and tribute. The paper concludes that the toughness of the climate and the curious geography of the interior produced some of the most daunting military machines of the pre-modern age.

Tags:china, russia, mongolia

Abstract
The paper relates that when Richard Nixon visited China in February of 1972, he effectively brought to an end 20 years of Chinese estrangement from the west. The paper discusses how Nixon's visit was important because it actually ended many years of Chinese alienation from the rest of the world; after all, things had gone badly between China and Russia since at least the late 1950s. The paper discusses what factors prompted rapprochement and what these closer ties meant to international relations not only between America and the Soviet Union and America and China but also relations between China and regional Asian powers. The thesis at the heart of this paper is that rapprochement between America and China significantly weakened the Soviets inasmuch as it gave America a powerful ally against the Soviets - an ally that could then be used as a sort of bogey-man to extract concessions from the soviets vis-a-vis arms levels and negotiations. With that in mind, this paper explores the factors that led America towards rapprochement, the factors which drove the Chinese towards rapprochement, and the global and diplomatic changes and benefits which arose from the closer ties between the two great powers.

From the Paper
"To what extent was the establishment of relations between the United States and People's Republic of China a diplomatic revolution? When Richard Nixon visited China in February of 1972, he effectively brought to an end 20 years of Chinese estrangement from the west. Indeed, Nixon's visit was important because it actually ended many years of Chinese alienation from the rest of the world; after all, things had gone badly between China and Russia since at least the late 1950s. Over the next several pages, this essay will discuss what factors prompted rapprochement and what these closer ties meant to international relations not only between America and the Soviet Union and America and China but..."

Tags:republic, china, revolution

Abstract
This essay looks at the benefits Mongolia and the former U.S.S.R. stood to gain from their relationship with each other. The political, ideological, strategic, geographical and industrial perspectives of both countries are considered. Also considered are the feelings of the Mongolian people towards the Chinese, and how these feelings may have been manipulated.

From the Paper
"The relationship between the USSR and the Mongolian People's Republic in the latter half of the 20th century is one that has its roots in a time before the creation of either Communist state. Chinggis Khan's Golden Horde had subjugated areas of Russia many centuries earlier. Russian letters from the mid 19th century proposed preparing a plan to annex Mongolia to Russia should the Manchu overlords ever withdraw into their Manchurian homeland. The Mongols had even appealed to the Russian Tsar for help whilst the Manchu ruled as the Qing dynasty. The crucial point though, is the early 20th century, when the relationship became more one of Elder Brother Younger Brother status, than one with views to colonization. This period formed the basis to a tight bond between the two countries lasting until the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s."

Tags:china, communism, ideology, mao, mongolia, mpr, personality, soviet, trade, union, ussr

Abstract
The paper relates that Russia has lost political power and economic strength since the collapse of the Soviet Union and Japan is arguably less relevant than it once was, with a slowing economy and a modest defense budget. The paper reveals, however, that China has a large labor supply, a hot economy and growing military and diplomatic strength. The paper therefore concludes that in the post-Cold War era China has emerged to become the world's second superpower.

Outline:
Russia's Post-Soviet Power
Japan Strong but Possibly Fizzling
The Case for China
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, conventional wisdom dictated that the United States was the sole, remaining global superpower. With the world's largest economy and defense budget, and the ability to influence events worldwide, there is little doubt the U.S. remains the world's most powerful country. But in the post-Cold War era, which country is the world's second most powerful, filing some of the power vacuum left by the demise of the Soviets?"

Tags:Japan, Russia, Soviet, Union

Abstract
The paper looks at the effect - politically, militaristically and economically - of NATO expansion upon Russia. In so doing, the paper looks at the impact of this development upon political reform and progress in Russia. Overall, this writer is of the view that the NATO expansion will push Russia away from the west and (in the short-term) towards China and towards other countries (Venezuela and Iran, for example) that seem to share its antipathy towards the United States. Therefore, this paper notes that, politically, Russia may well become more authoritarian and repressive as the Kremlin consolidates its power and marshals resources for battle with the United States. The writer also believes that militaristically, Russia is likely to become more assertive and may divert funding away from social policies and internal development initiatives towards building up its weapons arsenal and armed forces in anticipation of some sort of clash with NATO.

From the Paper
"The following paper will look at the effect - politically, militaristically and economically - of NATO expansion upon Russia. In so doing, the paper will look at the impact of this development upon political reform and progress in Russia. Overall, this writer is of the view that the NATO expansion will push Russia away from the west and (in the short-term) towards China and towards other countries (Venezuela and Iran, for example) that seem to share its antipathy towards the United States. Therefore, this paper will note that, politically, Russia may well become more authoritarian and repressive as the Kremlin consolidates its..."

Tags:nato, russia, expansion

Abstract
The paper broadly looks at the implications of the relationship that has been building for a while between Russia and Venezuela. The paper explores the political and economic implications of such a relationship, how the world views it and the implications of China buying oil from Venezuela, the implications this relationship has on US/Russian ties, is the leader of the oil rich nation now emboldened, how the relationship benefits both Russia and Venezuela and finally what impact it has on Latin America's regional stability.

From the Paper
"The focus of this research paper is to broadly look at the implications of the relationship that has been building for a while between Russia and Venezuela. In this report we will be looking at the political and economic implications of such a relationship, how the world views it and the implications of China buying oil from Venezuela, the implications this relationship has on US/Russian ties, is the leader of the oil rich nation now emboldened, how the relationship benefits both Russia and Venezuela..."

Tags:russia, venezuela, us

Abstract
This paper examines how the antagonistic foreign relations between China and Japan during the 19th century were a function of many factors that ultimately resulted in the weakening of China and the strengthening of Japan. It looks at how there is little doubt that the factors which precipitated the aggression of Japan against the Chinese were as much a function of Japanese opportunism as the concern and impact resulting from European influence and Russian expansionism on China. It discusses how the relationship between the two Asian nations is a complex tapestry involving threads from many other nations both regional and global.

Outline
Introduction
Influencing Conditions in China
Key Events that Increased Tensions
Major Aggression against China
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Feudal China during the Manchu period was capped off with the rise of the Ch'Ing Party which was consumed with preservation and maintaining power. These characteristics may have played not only a role in shaping the years in which the group held sway but may have also been part of the reason for the its eventual defeat. During the Manchu period China had been provided with impressive cultural and national growth in population and land however, toward the end of the period the feudal system was unable to contain the growing unrest in the country. Much of the dissatisfaction among the masses was the result of famines and floods which led to considerable strife in the nation. This turmoil caused significant instability and resulted in several rebellions such as the Taiping and Nien rebellions toward the end of the Manchu dynasty. These rebellions weakened the nation and helped to create a vulnerability of the Chinese state that had not previously existed."

Tags:russia, communism, manchu, meiji

Abstract
This paper discusses the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) "general line" (zongluxian) for "socialist construction" (shehui zhuyi jianshe) which emerged during a period in which the initial years of the transitional phase of "socialist transformation" were proving some considerable success. It examines how the period of so-called "socialist transformation" of China during 1953 to 1956 represents a reasonably stable and successful phase of the ongoing revolution carried forward by the CCP. It looks at the progress that was made in the spheres of agricultural production, heavy industry and mining,and the expansion of education facilities.

From the Paper
"Soviet norms of development are reiterated by Li throughout his speech and, on the whole, this is not at all surprising. Following the period of reconstruction, the phase of socialist transformation (1953-1956) is perhaps best characterized by the consistency with which the majority of the CCP leadership subscribed to those norms. Borrowing from the Soviet Union was also reflected in the extent of practical Russian participation in the form of financial aid and scientific and technological guidance. In 1955, Li announced the start of 694 "above-norm" construction projects, stating that a core of 156 of these were Russian-designed; in fact, many of the projects were not only designed in the Soviet Union, but also managed and run by Russians in China or Russian-trained Chinese."

Tags:education, industry, mao, society, russia