ISBN 978-1-0687359-7-4
This is a preorder item. Shipping is scheduled for Autumn of 2026.
From Balkans to Babylon: Zastava AKs of Yugoslavia, Serbia, and Iraq
The Definitive Reference Book on Zastava AKs
The first English-language book on the history, variants, and field use of Zastava AK rifles and the Iraqi-produced Tabuk AK.
For collectors, researchers, armorers, and serious AK enthusiasts, From Balkans to Babylon is the most comprehensive reference ever published on one of the most compelling Kalashnikov lineages in the world — the Zastava M70 and its descendants.
Tracing the full arc of Zastava-pattern AKs from the factories of socialist Yugoslavia to the battlefields of Iraq and beyond, this large-format reference book combines declassified CIA and KGB documents, firsthand warzone photography, and contributions from seasoned professionals with direct field experience. The result is an authoritative, visually rich volume that works equally well as a practical identification guide and a premium collector's reference.
What's Inside:
The complete development history of the Zastava M70 and its variants, from Yugoslav Army adoption to modern Serbian production
Full coverage of Zastava 5.56mm rifles — M80, M85, and M21 — with clear variant comparisons
A dedicated section on Iraqi small arms production, including well-known Tabuk variants and rare, previously unpublished rifles
Prototypes and obscure variants documented here for the first time in any publication
Markings, manufacturing details, and identification guidance for collectors and provenance research
High-resolution, detail-focused photography taken in active conflict zones across the Middle East and Africa
An illustrated development timeline mapping Zastava AKs across changing states, wars, and international arms transfers
Primary source research drawn from declassified intelligence archives and Yugoslav-era records
Why This Book Stands Apart
Most AK reference books rely on range photography and secondary sources. From Balkans to Babylon was written differently — the author gained his knowledge in various warzones, accessed intelligence archives from two Cold War superpowers, learned the Serbian language to understand primary sources, and consulted professionals who have unique knowledge and experience with these weapons. Every page reflects that standard of research.
Whether you're identifying a specific rifle, building a serious AK reference library, or tracing the geopolitical journey of one of the Cold War's most widely exported weapon platforms, this is the book the subject has always deserved.
A must-have for AK collectors, Yugoslav military history enthusiasts, small arms researchers, serious Kalashnikov variant and provenance researchers
