The book explores the nature of Chechen society and Chechen ethno-psychology, the emergence of Chechen nationalism, and the predominantly violent relationships between Russia and the Chechens throughout modern history in order to better explain the most recent periods of confrontation. It concentrates on the second Russo-Chechen campaign and subsequent terrorist attacks in Moscow and Beslan and the spreading of violence throughout the North Caucasus. The book draws on extensive research and includes an introduction by Anatol Lieven. This is the first book to assess the most recent violence in Chechnya in the wider context of cultural, social and political changes in the North Caucasus and Russia. The study enlightens such key phenomena for understanding the ongoing violence as the North Caucasian version of Jihadism, Caucasophobia and Chechenophobia in contemporary Russia, paying attention to Moscow's controversial policies of Normalisation in Chechnya. The author also investigates the situation of Chechen resistance and the expansion of the conflict into the neighboring areas of the North Caucasus.
«Anyone wishing to understand the roots of the current nightmare in Chechnya should read this book. Souleimanov presents a highly readable and informative account of the history of the Chechens and their tragic interactions with Russia which are essential to understanding the origins and nature of the current conflict. Although Moscow claims that the war is all but over, Souleimanov shows that the roots of this war run deep and that violence in Chechnya will not be over anytime soon. Indeed, this is only one more round in what appears to be an endless struggle.» (Prof. Stephen Blank, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College)
«...very, very good book: The author is a true analyst, and a brave one at that.» (Perspective, Boston University)
«To conclude, Souleimanov's book is a very succinct and up to date account of Chechnya's turbulent relationship with Russia. Despite covering a lot of the same ground as previous works, it offers an incisive, interesting and broadaccount for anyone not familiar with this subject.» (Aglaya Snetkov, Europe-Asia Studies)
«...very, very good book: The author is a true analyst, and a brave one at that.» (Perspective, Boston University)
«To conclude, Souleimanov's book is a very succinct and up to date account of Chechnya's turbulent relationship with Russia. Despite covering a lot of the same ground as previous works, it offers an incisive, interesting and broadaccount for anyone not familiar with this subject.» (Aglaya Snetkov, Europe-Asia Studies)