This work brings together major accords and protocols that form the institutional framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). It includes a selection of policy statements, and a chronological record of political, economic, and military developments in CIS "hot spots".

Assembled here is a documentary portrait of the CIS, drawing on more than 500 official publications and releases and reports from the broadcast and print media. Excep-tionally comprehensive in scope and breadth, Russia and the Commonwealth of lndepen-dent States presents the actual texts of CIS accords and protocols as well as commentary from leading journalists and political actors.

The documents are grouped within 10 chapters. Each chapter is preceded by introductory notes written by the editors, supplying historical background and identification of key issues surrounding the documents presented.

Also included is a collection of maps which provide geographical detail of the CIS, Russia's Ethnic Republics. The Caucasus and Central Asia, Major Muslim Ethnic Groups in Armenia, Iran, and the Islamic Commonwealth States, and the Major Defense Facilities in the CIS Territory.

The volume concludes with five appendixes which provide a chronological listing of key events, CIS development, CIS data, and Country Profiles, in which a political profile, area map, economic and demographic statistics are provided for the 12 member states.