From Balkans to Babylon

The first English-language book covering the history, variants, and deployment of Zastava AK rifles, as well as the Iraqi-manufactured Tabuk AKs. For collectors, researchers, armorers, and passionate AK enthusiasts, *From Balkans to Babylon* stands as the most comprehensive reference work ever published on one of the world's most fascinating Kalashnikov lineagesthe Zastava M70 and its successors. This large-format reference volume traces the entire trajectory of Zastava-pattern AKsfrom the factories of socialist Yugoslavia to the battlefields of Iraq and beyondcombining declassified CIA and KGB documents, firsthand photographs from war zones, and contributions from seasoned experts with direct field experience. The result is an authoritative, richly illustrated volume that serves equally well as a practical identification guide and a premier reference tool for collectors. Contents include: The complete developmental history of the Zastava M70 and its variants, from its introduction by the Yugoslav Army to modern Serbian production; A comprehensive overview of Zastavas 5.56mm riflesthe M80, M85, and M21featuring clear variant comparisons; A dedicated section on Iraqi small arms production, including known Tabuk variants and rare, previously unpublished rifles; Prototypes and obscure variants documented here for the first time in print; Markings, manufacturing details, and identification aids for collectors and provenance research; High-resolution, detail-oriented photographs captured in active conflict zones across the Middle East and Africa; An illustrated developmental timeline tracing the journey of Zastava AKs across shifting nations, wars, and international arms transfers. Primary source research based on declassified intelligence archives and records from the Yugoslav era. What makes this book unique? Most AK reference works rely on photographs taken at shooting ranges and on secondary sources. "From Balkans to Babylon" was written differentlythe author acquired his knowledge in various war zones, gained access to the intelligence archives of two Cold War superpowers, learned the Serbian language in order to interpret primary sources, and consulted with experts possessing unique knowledge and experience regarding these weapons. Every page reflects this standard of research. Whether you wish to identify a specific rifle, build a comprehensive AK reference library, or trace the geopolitical journey of one of the Cold War's most widely exported weapon platformsthis is the book this subject has always deserved.