Product Description

Since the conflict started in Chechnya contrasting images and messages about the Chechen people have been presented. This book aims to explain these contradictory images and place them in their context, explaining the history of the region and its troubled relations with Russia.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #506842 in Books
• Published on: 1997-10-24
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Customer Reviews

this book will make you a Chechen addict
For anyone interested in finding out more about Chechnya, this book is essential. A straightforward account of the early years of Chechen independence and a cool analysis of how the first war occured (insufferable Chechen versus Russian pride) and how the Russians rolled into Grozny with a column of tanks as if to make a political statement (as in Prague and Budapest).

When these first units were surrounded and destroyed Russia was staggered, and flailed wildly for another few years. Defeat was as inevitable then as it is now, and reading this book makes one realise that the Russians will never be able to control Chechnya unless they commit genocide. The Chechen leaders are assessed and the current president (Maskhadov) of Chechnya features as a chief of staff in the remarkable Chechen army. Maskhadov was a training officer in the Red Army and would be willing to negotiate with the Russians, if the boys in the Kremlin were willing to negotiate.

The most frustrating aspect of the war is that peace could have happened so effortlessly if the doves around Yeltsin had been listened to. Instead they were sidelined and the hardliners, such as boneheaded defence minister Pavel Grachev, were allowed to conduct total war against his own people. The same ghastly show is being re-enacted today, with the difference that there is no General Lebed on the horizon with the vision and courage to bring the whole shooting match to a halt.

It is now clear to me that the only reasons the Russians are fighting is to win the elections (Russians love strongmen) and to try and win back some of the army's lost prestige (the former aim may be achieved but the latter is a lost cause as Russia can never win this kind of internal conflict. They are only militarily capable when "their very existence" is at stake). Chechnya will probably continue to be used as the Kremlin's main election winning proving ground, long after the current conflict is resolved.

Reading this book is an easy wasy to understand the real issues involved, the only problem being that once you have read this you will be yearning for more detailed coverage...

Very good overview of the conflict
It's a few years since this book was written, so it necessarily lacks some of the latest developments in the conflict. Nonetheless, it's easier to understand the current fighting without knowing what came before it. Very easy to read with excellent descriptions of several of the skirmishes and a damning indictment of the stupidity of the hawks in the Kremlin.