Martin van Bruinessen, professor of the comparative study of modern Muslim societies at Utrecht University, carried out extensive fieldwork in all parts of Kurdistan and is the author of some influential books and numerous articles. This book comprises a selection of his articles on Kurds, Kurdish history and identity from the perspective of nationalism and nation-building within the wider context of the Middle East. He investigates as diverse and controversial subjects as ethnic identity, diversity, uprisings and genocide. These essays on Iran and Iraq as well as the major focus on Turkey shed light on the recent history of Kurds in relation to the ethno-national and nation-building movements, both of which have been extremely important in shaping the political climate of the Middle East.