Matryoshka wars

So in the end Russia is leaving Chechnya. Great, isn’t it? It’s Medvedev the new Russian Obama? Well, not so fast.

After more than ten years of wars, the Russian National Committee for Anti-terrorism has decreted Chechnya as an area free of “antiterrorist operations”. This effectively means that Russia will leave the Republic and won’t consider it anymore a threat.

Maybe the conflict is over -for now-, but the subjacent cause is still there. In fact, all the region is a great threat.

And in this dangerous area, will remain on top the present Chechen President, Ramzan Kadyrov. Probably, he is the worst one for the job. Kadyrov has gained a reputation of sadism and despotism, and his presidency has plenty of examples of disappearing members of the opposition -just to be found later already dead. Russia, leaving him on charge now, just makes him good for the job. And that’s what makes this region even more instable.

But the problem is not only in Chechnya. Have a look on the map. Who is south? Georgia.

To the war the two countries had last summer we have to add now more discrepancies. According to some, that’s just Russia trying to provoke NATO. There are for example troop movements on the borders that talk of a possible incursion inside Georgia. In fact, there are even troops inside Georgia, against what was signed last summer after the ceasefires.

Of course, NATO isn’t either helping. Making some joint exercises in Russian backyard isn’t precisely diplomatic. And just to add more tension, the inside opposition to pro-Western president Saakashvili is highlyagitated.

But let’s give them an opportunity. At least, they have started talking again. Will it be worth? The answer, this summer on your screens.




Photo: English Russian