In Central Asia, the Turkic nomads met up with the Muslim and Persian world.

ECONOMIST: At the crossroads | The

Tajiks speak Persian, whereas Azeris, Turkmen, Uzbeks and Kazakhs speak Turkic languages.

ECONOMIST: Central Asia

The population is made up of mainly-Muslim Kabardins, as well as minorities of Turkic-speaking Balkars - around 10% of the people - and Russians.

BBC: Kabardino-Balkaria profile

Relations between these Turkic allies took a dive in April when Turkey unveiled a draft agreement to establish diplomatic ties and reopen its border with Armenia.

ECONOMIST: Turkish foreign policy

In 1990, the Soviet republic of Kirghizia decided to change its official name to the Socialist Republic of Kyrgyzstan, a title recalling the ancient Turkic origins of many of its people.

CNN: Sunday,

Then I heard music coming from the direction of the main port, at first only the stuttering beat of bass notes, then, as I walked toward the music, the Turkic twang of a bouzouki.

CNN: Dancing into old age

Although his country has not gained as much influence east of the Caspian as he hoped, it has made headway, helping such Turkic-speaking countries as Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan to tilt their markets, especially in oil and gas, away from Russia and to the West.

ECONOMIST: CHARLEMAGNE