ABSTRACT
This chapter examines alliance behaviour in Central Eurasia, focusing on identity as a factor determining state alignment (used interchangeably with alliance) choice. Identity is only one possible determinant of these choices. As discussed in the chapter, others include the distribution of power, ideology, regime type, and economic gain. To what extent does identity shed light on alignment choices that are not fully explained by these other factors? To what extent are these various factors mutually constituted, or, to put it in plain English, to what extent have identity issues affected these other variables and vice versa?
