Offers novel theoretical and empirical findings on the issue of unrecognized states and secession

Presents an approach to conceptualizing unrecognized states

Highlights selected case studies on various secessionist regions and territories

Includes supplementary material: [...]

Introduction: Secession and Recognition in the 21st Century.- Theoretical Perspectives: Making Peace with De Facto States.- Unrecognized States and National Identity.- Ontological Security of the Post-Soviet de Facto States.- Contemporary Referendum of Independence and Linguistic Aspects of an Intelligible Referendum Question.- (Super)power Rule: Comparative Analysis of Parent States.- Case Studies: Political Institutions in the Post-Soviet de Facto States in Comparison: Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh.- Iran's Problem with Territorial Non-State Actors: A Case Study of Sistan and Balochistan.- Kurdistan Region's Quest for Independent Statehood: Trapped in Internal and Geopolitical Rivalries.- Bougainville - From Conflict to Independence Under the Law?- The Right to Self-Determination or Inviolability of Borders in the Horn of Africa? An African Union Approach.- Long Way to Recognition: Challenges Facing the European "Newborn" from the 2015 Perspective.- Conclusion: Future of International Recognition?.