Chechnya

[Seeker]

While reading an article called Paradoxes of the war in Chechnya about the two most recent Chechen Wars, several paragraphs stood out.

After centuries of hardships and expulsions, the monolithic Chechen society became divided. One part of the population, rejecting all that comes from outside, believes the guerillas to be the sole power capable of saving them from aggression. The other part, not smaller than the first one, still hopes that Russia will bring peace and democracy to Chechnya, that its present leaders will obey reason and logic and will become the guarantors of law in the long-suffering country and will in the future help build a new, civilized Chechen society. Yet another part of the population is formed by people exhausted by the years of controversy and disillusioned by the deceit of politicians and therefore leaving homes and escaping the country. Nevertheless, all of them have something in common - they are convinced that the war will not stop anytime soon.

In this paragraph I see a parallel to the Hard Right and Hard Left in the US or maybe to the Patriiots and Tories of 230 years ago inthe US. Some want to be left alone to provide foar and protect themselves and some think the distant government (in Moscow) will protect and provide from them.

Even the threat of death did not extinguish the spirit of enterprise. In every town and village, there are markets, magazines, cafes, kiosks, and the like. People trade in everything that can be bought and sold, from unrefined petrol produced by illegal miniature plants, to nylon stockings. In spite of the danger and obstacles represented by the federals at checkpoints, people travel for their goods as far away as Khasavyurt or Nazran, and even Moscow or Pyatigorsk. In the very center of Grozny, against the backdrop of destroyed buildings, there emerged the town‘s central market, where just about anything can be bought for a low price. If two Chechens meet far away from their country, the first question asked will be: Is the market still in its old place?This market, saving people in the worst times, has become the symbol of the Chechens‘ viability.

I thought of ahenry when I read this bit. These people are dying for capitalism. If you want it, it is for sale. It would seem that the opprotunity here (once the shooting stops) is tremendous. Get the Russian army out and venture capitalists in.

[Bahadur]

Well, I don't know about that...

What is today Chechnya was conquered by Russians with extreme brutality. Even then, guerilla warfare raged on, at times with high intensity, other times with less intensity, for decades.

Unfortunately, Russians suppressed Chechen nationalism along with their religion, Islam. So, in Chechen minds, national liberation became tied to resurgence of Islam.

So, while Russians see the Chechen rebellion as a religious and terrorist (i.e. criminal) threat (as in Islam vs. Christian civilization) and would like us to see it that way, the Chechens see a combination of a struggle for national liberation and for the resurgence of their native religion.

[Seeker]

resurgence of their native religion

...of course Islam isn't there 'native' religion. Islam didn't become a major plater until the early 1500's, and even then it was mixed with the traditional beliefs so that it is different from arabic Islam.

I think with the introduction of trade (paired with the exit of Russians and safe markets and trade routes) the guerillas would disappear. I think trade and tourism would do wonders for this area. I'd like to go see the country, the towers and check out their blades - I'll bet they don't have much in the way of traditional beer though.

[Oleg Volk]

From what I know of the people there, the ferocity has resulted mainly from provocation in the form of oppression and outright murder by the Russian/Soviet authorities. Exit the Russian army and the mayhem would cease. Unlike the Middle East, Chechniya is separated from Russia by a considerable distance.

[Bahadur]

...of course Islam isn't there 'native' religion. Islam didn't become a major plater until the early 1500's, and even then it was mixed with the traditional beliefs so that it is different from arabic Islam.

Well, it's more "native" than Russian Ordothox Church or Soviet communism.

Indeed, if the Russian army exits, the insurgency will die down. But if the Russian army exits, Chechnya becomes independent. So, Russians don't want to do that.

At the same time, the Russian government does have a legitimate gripe about Chechen criminal organizations. Of course, the Chechens would respond by stating that Russian colonialism and Soviet oppression drove all legitimate political and economic activities underground, resulting in "illegal" political (guerilla resistance) and economic (mafia) activities.