Widespread media interest into the Chechen conflict reflects an ongoing concern about the evolution of federal Russia. Why did the Russian leadership initiate military action against Chechnya in December 1994 but against no other constituent part of the Federation? This study demonstrates that the Russian invasion represented the culmination of a crisis that was perceived to have become an increasing threat not only to the stability of the North Caucasus region, but also to the very foundations of Russian security. It looks closely at the Russian Federation in transition, following the collapse of the communist Soviet Union, and the implications of the 1991 Chechen Declaration of Independence in the context of Russia's democratisation project.
Author(s): Tracey C German
Edition: 1
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 264
Book Cover......Page 1
Title......Page 4
Contents......Page 5
List of tables......Page 8
List of abbreviations......Page 9
Maps......Page 10
Introduction......Page 12
The Russian Federation in transition......Page 17
Background to the Chechen declaration of independence in 1991......Page 25
The post-coup period and the collapse of the USSR (August November 1991)......Page 45
The consolidation of an 'independent', post-Soviet Chechnya (1991 93)......Page 66
Challenges to internal sovereignty: The roots of power and opposition to the Dudayev regime (1991 93)......Page 87
War by proxy? (February September 1994)......Page 105
The decision to invade (October December 1994)......Page 123
Making peace or war?......Page 140
Conclusions: One step forward, two steps back......Page 166
Glossary......Page 175
Notes......Page 177
Bibliography......Page 233
Index......Page 254
