Russia and a few other Eurasian countries have been home to the fastest-growing epidemics of HIV in the world over the last several years. A study published by the U.S. National Intelligence Council in 2002 identified Russia among five ''second wave'' countries likely to experience explosive further increases in HIV/AIDS over the next decade if appropriate measures are not taken. HIV/AIDS in the post-Soviet era may be rapidly evolving into not only a humanitarian crisis, but also a significant political, economic, and national security issue for the affected countries themselves and for the rest of the world. No single volume has been published that addresses the multiple aspects of the epidemic for this important part of the world.