Fifteen years ago, thefirstWarsaw East European Conference was organized in cooperation with the Association for the Study of Nationalities. Since then, the Conference has brought together many scholars from around the world to present their ideas and discuss the history, politics, cultural affairs and economies of what is now called Eurasia. This year's theme is Independence, and the meeting brings together some eighty experts from sixteen countries focusing on East Central Europe, the Balkans, Ukraine, the Caucasus, and the Baltic States.