Russia's Restless Frontier: The Chechnya Factor in Post-Soviet Russia

by Dmitri V. Trenin

The conflict in Chechnya, going through its low- and high-intensity phases, has been doggedly accompanying Russia's development. In the last decade, the Chechen war was widely covered, both in Russia and in the West. While most books look at the causes of the war, explain its zigzag course, and condemn the brutalities and crimes associated with it, this book is different. Its focus lies beyond the Caucasus battlefield. In Russia's Restless Frontier, Dmitri Trenin and Aleksei Malashenko examine the implications of the war with Chechnya for Russia's post-Soviet evolution. Considering Chechnya's impact on Russia's military, domestic politics, foreign policy, and ethnic relations, the authors contend that the Chechen factor must be addressed before Russia can continue its development.

Genres: Russia, History, Sociology

264 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

Reviews

[Mark Sequeira · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one who has read just about everything published on the Caucasus and Chechnya and who been been on the border firsthand trying to establish business connections/start-up enterprise/charitable work, I must say that this book is surprisingly fair-minded for having two Russian authors who have served in the roles they have served in:

http://carnegieendowment.org/experts/...
http://carnegieendowment.org/experts/...

This is surprising and causes me to rate this book much higher than I otherwise would. It is an important contribution to understanding the conflict and it's aftermath. Is their still a lingering feel/smell of Russia over against Chechen or Western sympathies? Yes of course, although less than you might expect.

Take the issue of outside Islamic influence or the number of foreign fighters, or even the causes of support for the rebels,...all of these are handled very honestly, even at times critical of the Russian press, military and official 'stay on topic' line.

While it is not an 'entry level' text on Chechnya or the repercussions of that war, it is surprisingly readable. A valuable addition to any library on Islamic revivalism, wahabi/salafi fundamentalism, post-Soviet nationalism, Russian (post-Soviet) history, or Ichkeria/Caucasian studies.