Separatisme, islamisme en regionalisme aan Ruslands zuidgrens

Marc Jansen focuses on the Northern Caucasus, home to dozens of nationalities mainly of Muslim origin, and Russia's problem area, its 'inner abroad'. Although the Chechen struggle for independence has largely been crushed, the turmoil continues. Terrorist attempts at disrupting Russian society organised from the Caucasus even hit the centre of Russia, and Moscow fears the spread of internationally inspired Muslim fundamentalism. Insurrection has spread to the neighbouring regions, especially Ingushetia and Dagestan. Together with Chechnya, they suffer from socio-economic problems like poverty and unemployment, criminality, a closed and corrupt political caste, and clan rivalry. The authorities hesitate between hard repression and a policy aimed at removing the turmoil's causes. Local governors have been appointed, displaying ultra-loyalty while at the same time going their own way. So, Chechnya's potentate Ramzan Kadyrov champions polygamy and Islamic school teaching and chases after his own opponents and dissidents.