Identity in Formation: The Russian-Speaking Populations in the New Abroad

This is a carefully researched, thoughtful and well-written examination of the Russian speaking population in the "near abroad" since the break up of the Soviet Union. While my experience is largely with Lithuania, his discussion of the Russian speaking population in Estonia and Latvia seemed insightful. As a minor criticism, or perhaps more as a term of reference for readers, I should note that Laitin seemed more sympathetic to the diaspora Russians than to the local populations. His discussion of Baltic events struck me as distinctly pro-ethnic Russian, although not outrageously so. Persons with Baltic ties may disagree with some his views, but they will still find them interesting.