The Russian General Staff and Asia, 1860-1917 (Routledge Studies in the History of Russia and Eastern Europe)

This new book examines the role of the Tsarist General Staff in studying and administering Russia’s Asian borderlands. It considers the nature of the Imperial Russian state, the institutional characteristics of the General Staff, and Russia’s relationship with Asia.

During the nineteenth century, Russia was an important player in the so-called ‘Great Game’ in central Asia. Between 1800 and 1917 officers of the Russian General Staff travelled extensively through Turkey, central Asia and the Far East, gathering intelligence that assisted in the formation of future war plans.

It goes on to consider tactics of imperial expansion, and the role of military intelligence and war planning with respect to important regions including the Caucasus, central Asia and the Far East. In the light of detailed archival research, it investigates objectively questions such as the possibility of Russia seizing the Bosphorus Straits, and the probability of an expedition to India. Overall, this book provides a comprehensive account of the Russian General Staff, its role in Asia, and of Russian military planning with respect to a region that remains highly strategically significant today.

Alex Marshall teaches at the Defence Studies Department of King’s College London. He graduated from SSEES at the University of London and from Glasgow University; and has taught at both Glasgow and Dundee Universities, and served as a visiting fellow with the CEP organization at the Buriat State University in Ulan Ude. His research interests include modern Russian and Asian military and political history, Muslim political thought, and military counter-insurgency.