Introduction -- Historical, cultural concept of inner Asia in world history -- Geography and climate of the region -- Prehistory and the early inhabitants of inner Asia -- Ethnicity: Turks, Mongols, and others -- Altaic and Turkic languages -- Major events relevant to inner Asian political history up to 11th century -- Culture, social structure and religion in inner Asia up to 11th century -- Turkization of Asia minor, formation of Anatolian Seljuks, Ilkhanites and emergence of the Ottoman empire -- Central Asia between 12th and 16th centuries -- Central Asia from the sixteenth century to Russian invasion -- Major events relevant to inner Asian history from 12th century to 19th century -- Historical concept, geography and the early history of Azerbaijan -- Major events relevant to Azerbaijani history from ancient times up to 1830 -- Roots of the Russian state system and policies towards the non-Russian lands -- Russian invasion of Azerbaijan and the concept of Azerbaijani identity -- Russian rule over central Asia between 1861-1921 -- Central Asia under Soviet rule -- Social changes and developments in central Asia during the Soviet period -- Economic developments in Central Asia, 1922-1989 -- Political development in Central Asia during the Soviet rule-- Azerbaijan under Soviet rule 1922-1985 -- Demise of the USSR, basic reasons and impacts -- End of Soviet rule in Azerbaijan and political development up to 1998 -- Central Asia after independence -- Country profiles -- Energy -- Relations between the Republic of Turkey and NISIA countries after the dissolution of the USSR -- Scenarios for Central Asia and Azerbaijan -- Conclusion.