Description
Book SynopsisThe conflict in Chechnya involves many of the most contentious issues in contemporary international politics. By providing us with a persuasive and challenging study, Hughes sets out the indispensable lessons for other conflicts involving the volatile combination of insurgency and counterinsurgency, most notably the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Trade Review"James Hughes has produced the most comprehensive, thoroughly documented, and up-to-date study of the Chechen conflict available. This sophisticated and subtle analysis places Chechnya in the context of broader debates about nationalism and ethnic politics, theories of empire and secession, and the propensity of new democracies to go to war." * Matthew Evangelista, Cornell University *
"Hughes offers a new way of thinking about ethnopolitical conflict by examining conflict dynamics as part of the causation chain in a conflict." *
History: Reviews of New Books *
"Does the book have value for the military historian? Absolutely." *
Journal of Military History *
"An excellent starting point for anyone looking for insight into how the radical Sunni Salafi movement both evolved and commandeered the struggle in Chechnya, which could also serve as an example as to how Al-Qaeda could hijack other nationalist struggles in the future." *
International Affairs *
"An exemplary case study. . . . Throughout, insights into the consequences of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the reconstitution of a federated Russia, and the leadership of Vladimir Putin abound. . . . Highly recommended." *
Choice *
Table of ContentsPreface
Maps
1. The Causes of Conflict
2. Russia's Refederalization and Chechnya's Secession
3. A Secular Nationalist Conflict
4. Dual Radicalization: The Making of Jihad
5. Chechnya and the Meaning of Terrorism
6. Chechnya and the Study of Conflict
7. Conclusion
Appendixes
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
