In the early 1970s, the Khmer Rouge became increasingly suspicious of communist Vietnam and initiated systematic persecution against Cambodian ethnic minorities with ties to Vietnam, particularly the Brao Amba residing in the northeastern regions.

As threats escalated, many Brao sought refuge by fleeing north, while others took an active role in Vietnam's military efforts to dismantle the Khmer Rouge regime. Although the majority of Cambodians view the subsequent decade-long Vietnamese occupation as a period of ongoing oppression, this work reveals a fascinating and previously neglected aspect of this intricate historical era.

Recognized as dependable allies by Vietnam, the Brao attained significant positions within the reorganized government, but their influence gradually waned after Vietnam's eventual exit from Cambodia. Through meticulous research and extensive interviews, Ian G. Baird provides a detailed account of this extraordinary time of Brao influence, highlighting the narratives of individuals who have historically been marginalized in mainstream historical accounts. This pioneering study urges academic scholars to move beyond traditional historical perspectives and carefully consider the diverse experiences of communities located on the fringes of national histories.

Saudi Arabia is recognized as one of the world's wealthiest countries, exerting significant influence on the global stage while housing the two holiest sites in Islam. Notably, it is one of the few remaining absolute monarchies on the planet.

What path led Saudi Arabia to its current status? In this expansive historical account, David Commins skillfully narrates the remarkable transformation of Saudi Arabia—from a modest desert emirate to its current efforts aimed at a post-oil economic landscape.

Over the course of centuries, Commins sheds light on how the Saud dynasty's strategic use of sectarian divisions, international expertise, and oil wealth to strengthen their power has, paradoxically, sparked the rise of both secular and religious movements advocating for transparency and fairness.

He intricately connects the powerful stories of activists, women's voices, religious minorities, nomadic Bedouin groups, and migrant workers as the country transitioned from subsistence agriculture to a vibrant metropolitan consumer society.

This work offers a detailed exploration of Saudi Arabia's complex and evolving narrative—a nation often enveloped in misunderstanding.

This ethnography examines the experiences of Bhutanese refugees who fled their homeland, spent time in camps in Nepal, and eventually settled in the markedly different culture of Australia. During this process, they come to understand how humanitarian compassion can be manipulated to oppress, restrict, and diminish human rights. However, they also discover that this charitable system has small openings that allow for action. The Bhutanese adeptly maneuver through the conflicting expectations of being refugees as they aim to achieve citizenship. Their experiences reveal the complex power dynamics that dictate who is considered deserving of compassion. Neikirk also discusses the shift in responses to refugee crises, moving from facilitating the movement of people to enforcing their containment. This in-depth transnational study will engage those interested in refugee studies, anthropology, and development studies.