The conflict in Chechnya has attracted world attention. The Chechens are
a nation in a region of many nations. Moscow views Chechen independence
as a geopolitical “domino” threatening Russia’s disintegration.
Chechens call for national self-determination and Islamic revival. The
conflict pits the warriors of a small but proud and warlike nation
against the regular troops and paramilitary formations of a great state
struggling to redefine itself after seven decades of Communism. At the
heart of the struggle remain Russia’s relations with those nations
brought into the tsarist empire by force and subjected to totalitarian
repression. Hostilities continue as the Chechens cannot expel the
Russians and the Russians cannot prevent Chechen raids and terrorist
actions.( Lester W. Grau, and Dr. Jacob W. Kipp:Foreign Military Studies Office, Fort Leavenworth, KS. )