The Chechen Crises and the ‘Spectre’ of Islam: Understanding Russian and Western Perspectives

Abstract

This paper considers the context and geopolitical forces of the second Chechen conflict (1999-2000), with a view to understanding the underlying dynamic. It is not the intention of the author to explore or examine in detail the various allegations of human rights abuses in the Chechen war, but to consider the issues involved and the various international responses, in particular those aspects of the conflict that are frequently overlooked. Only an accurate understanding of these issues will permit any hope of conflict resolution. The Russian military action in Chechnya was a response to the ongoing crises within the Chechen republic. Russia feared that Chechen forces, many of which were bankrolled from sources outside the Caucasus (allegedly including Osama bin Laden and international terrorist organisations), would destabilise neighbouring republics. Evidence suggests that electoral manipulation disenfranchised the Chechen population, casting doubt on the assumption that Chechen independence demands can be assumed to represent the entire Chechen population. Interdependence of emerging security interests involves a normative element supporting respect for human rights. In this context, the newly emerging security cooperation in the region between the West and the Russian Federation allows a tacit understanding that Russia is the de facto intervention force in what is still designated an internal problem.