Russia Confronts Chechnya
Russia Confronts Chechnya
In this book John Dunlop provides an understanding of the background to the Russian invasion of Chechnya in December 1994, tracing events from 4,000 BC to the time of the invasion. The historic encounter between Chechens and Russians, first during pre-Petrine, and then with imperial Russia, is carefully examined. The genocide and oppression endured by the Chechens under the communists is discussed in detail. The convulsive 'Chechen Revolution' of 1991, which brought General Dzhokhar Dudaev to power, is described, as are internal developments within Chechnya during 1992–4. The author traces the negotiation process between the Russian Federation and secessionist Chechnya, elucidating the reasons for the breakdown of the quest for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
- Authoritative but concise study of the background to the Chechnya conflict, post-Soviet Russia's most bitter 'internal' war
- Takes a broad historical sweep, examining the relationship between Chechens and Russia from 4,000 BC to today
- Dunlop is a well-known scholar of Russian history and politics. His recent book 'The Rise of Russia and the Fall of the Soviet Union' (Princeton 1993) was one of the best books on the collapse of communism
Reviews & endorsements
"Mr. Dunlop...shows how the various elements in the Chechen identity--linguistic, religious, social, political--evolved and combined to create the sense of national solidarity essential for semipermanent warfare....Mr. Dunlop's more detached views enable him to discern perhaps more clearly than those closer to the action the logic of the increasingly entangled political events in the Russian camp." Robert Cottrell, New York Review of Books
"The Dunlop book is a clearly written and balanced account of the origins of the conflict." Choice
"The book belongs in the library of every specialist on Russia. It will also interest members of the media and diplomatic and military personnel." Dale R. Herspring, Perspectives on Political Science
"...this excellent book provides valuable background to the ongoing tragedy in the Russian North Caucasus." Matthew Evangelista, Slavic Review
"...a complete understanding of this war, crucial for the insight it provides into both the failure of Russia's political culture to evolve as well as for the dynamics of the Caucasus, cannot be had without this well-written and insightful book." Canadian Journal of Political Science
"All of these books are helpful in understanding the ongoing conflict in Chechnya, and they complement each other in this regard...I recommend thse works to anyone who wants to understand the ongoing conflict in Chechnya." Slavic and East European Journal
Product details
September 1998Hardback
9780521631846
250 pages
229 × 152 × 18 mm
0.54kg
2 maps
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. The Chechens encounter Russia
- 2. Soviet genocide
- 3. The eruption of the 'Chechen Revolution'
- 4. Dudaev in power, 1992–4
- 5. Russia confronts secessionist Chechnya, 1992–4.
