Chechnya: A True Struggle for Independence

by Adam Thompson

As I sit here in my Alabama apartment, dreaming about Clemson and pondering the state of the world with my endless supply of free time (8-5 jobs rock!), my mind tends to default to my utter hatred for the George W. Bush regime.

I do not hate him for his one veto. I do not hate him even for the No Child Left Behind Act. I do not hate him for his fiscal irresponsibility. All of these policies can easily be reversed with new leadership. Where Bush (and the United States) really falters is in Iraq.

I know, I know, not another article about Iraq. Upon observing Iraq and its relationship with the world, however, I am left scratching my head. Sure, the Republicans (and even some Democrats) can state that we are facing a war on terror and that taking the battle to their home is the only effective way of dealing with the issue; but in past years, the Bush administration has turned the meaning of the war away from terrorism and towards freedom. They feel that the independence of Iraq and their escape from tyranny is the gift that the United States is there to give, but one can accurately claim that the betterment of the people is not the goal of America.

Case in point: Chechnya.

Chechnya is republic federal subject of Russia who has been fighting for its independence since the November Revolution in 1917. Following a confusing history of Stalin genocide resulting in almost complete destruction of the Chechen people, rejoining the Russian Federation, and fighting for independence again, Chechnya has become ground zero for some of the worst fighting the world has seen.

After the Soviet Union dissolved in the early 1990s, Chechnya claimed independence. A Civil War ensued, and Russia came to the aid of the pro-Kremlin forces. Suffering a humiliating defeat, the Russian forces left Chechnya in 1996 – leaving the state in complete despair, but independent.

Even after Chechnya’s independence, a bitter relationship formed between Russia and the newly free republic. Most of all, Russia feared the Chechen conflict would serve as an example to other federal subjects, and Russia would lose a major hold on the Caucus region (it’s rich in Oil… sound familiar)?

Oil is the driving force of wars (at least, two), so in 1999, newly elected Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 2nd Chechen War, resulting in the recapture of the state and the return to Russian rule. Through both conflicts, claims from the Human Rights Watch have alleged Putin and his government of Human Rights violations of the Chechen people (supported and carried out by Pro-Moscow Chechen forces). In all, an estimated 250,000 civilians have been killed with 86 percent of Chechens suffering from some sort of post traumatic stress disorder. Sure, the Chechens are not without fault. One of the most notable activities involved the Beslan school hostage crisis, where 344 civilians (186 children) were murdered. Though separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov denied all blame for the affair, upon official investigation, Russian forces deemed Chechen Shamil Basayev, a leader of an unrecognized independence movement, for the attack.

If the United States advocates the removal of oppressive regimes and freedom from all, why has the only action been a formal condemnation? The answer lies in the fact that the United States has no economic interest in the Caucus region. Certainly, the area is rich in oil and other resources, but the Middle East is America’s oil field. Additionally, the Russian – American post Cold War relationship would be severely tested by American intervention – leading to a situation neither the United States nor the Russian Federation wants to find itself.

It seems like since the conclusion of the Cold War, the United States and Russia have had an unspoken agreement to not step on each others’ toes. Apparently, this includes brutal wars and crimes against humanity, all in the name of not allowing a sect of people to be free. Where is the trade embargo? Where is the media? Where are the troops?

When a little more than one million people are urging for independence, why not give it to them? Perhaps if Russia established a friendly relationship with the new Chechnya, it could receive its black gold at a very reasonable price. Without the cost of a war, Russia might end up making money! Imagine that.