Latest Articles about The Caucasus
Chechnya’s Parliament Criticizes Russian Presidential Envoy in the North Caucasus
On March 31, Chechnya’s parliament issued a statement expressing its disapproval of the presidential envoy to the North Caucasus, Alexander Khloponin. According to the Chechen parliament, delays in changes in the socio-economic development of the region were disappointing and could potentially damage President Dmitry Medvedev’s... MORE
Death of Anzor Astemirov Does not Mark the End of the Insurgency in Kabardino-Balkaria
The end of March 2010 turned out to be eventful in the North Caucasus. First of all, on March 24 the leader of Kabardino-Balkaria’s Yarmuk Jamaat, Anzor Astemirov, was killed in Nalchik, the republic’s capital. Astemirov, known more widely by the name Emir Seifullah (Kommersant,... MORE
Suicide Attacks in Moscow are Part of an Upsurge in Attacks by North Caucasus Militants
Unfortunately, the terrorist attacks committed in the Moscow metro early in the morning of March 29 were not the first and there is no reason to assume they will be the last. The explosions were set off in a public place in order to cause... MORE
Circassian Genocide Issue Gains More Publicity and Support in the Northwest Caucasus
The main reaction of Circassians living in their historical homeland in the North Caucasus to the seminal conference on the Circassian “genocide” issue held in Tbilisi appeared to be highly positive. Many sounded very enthusiastic about Georgia’s indication of interest in the problem, which is... MORE
Medvedev Seeks Balance Between Fighting Islamists and Stemming Rising Xenophobia
On April 1, President Dmitry Medvedev paid an unexpected visit to Dagestan, where he presided over a meeting of the National Counterterrorism Committee (NAK) in the republic’s capital, Makhachkala. The visit was dedicated to fighting terrorism following the twin suicide bomb attack in the northern... MORE
Russian Newspaper Claims One of the Moscow Suicide Bombers was a 17-Year-Old Girl
Reports have appeared in Russian media over the last 24 hours identifying the suicide bombers who allegedly carried out the two attacks on the Moscow metro on March 29, which killed 39 people and left 95 injured. Moskovsky Komsomolets reported on its website yesterday (April... MORE
Moscow Remains Insecure After Ten Years of Fighting Terrorism in the North Caucasus
Thirty-nine people died and over 80 were wounded as a result of two explosions on the Moscow metro system during the morning rush hour on March 29. The insurgency in the North Caucasus has been labeled the primary suspect for what is believed to have... MORE
Chechnya’s Suicide Bombers: Desperate, Devout, or Deceived
Years of war and social upheaval have left the people of Chechnya with nothing but misery and despair. In the second Chechen war, Federal Forces have radicalized the resistance and humiliated the populace by committing widespread human rights abuses against civilians. These actions, combined with... MORE
Conflict Intensifies Between Ingushetia’s President and Republican Judiciary
On March 23, the Supreme Court of Ingushetia issued a statement complaining about President Yunus-bek Yevkurov’s attacks on the judiciary. According to the statement, Yevkurov had without basis accused the republic’s judges of corruption and supporting terrorism. The Supreme Court judges also alleged that Yevkurov... MORE
Azerbaijan Seeks New Partners to Diversify its Economy
On March 19, during the launch of construction works for the large shipbuilding factory in the outskirts of Baku, President Ilham Aliyev announced: “At the moment, in Azerbaijan, we are conducting a policy of large-scale industrialization” (Azertaj news agency). As he made the statement, he... MORE