This interesting work examines the ongoing impact of the two phases of the Russo-Chechen wars from 1994 to 1996 and again from 1999 to 2008. The wars were extremely violent, and their aftermath in the 2010s has consisted of lingering tensions and many other territorial issues. The legacy of these territorial and ethnic conflicts has continued as Russia has become further involved in exterior conflicts in Georgia (2008) and Ukraine (2014 and 2022). Yet, the continued suppression of identity-based conflicts, like those in Chechnya, further haunts the Russian government and the overall region. The external endeavors and internal conflicts that have reignited the significance of the Chechen conflict since the wars ended more than 15 years ago have not had any real closure. Askerov’s study takes a complex approach to the Chechen situation and how it figures in the Russian problem. By addressing historical, ethno-political, ethno-territorial, and psychocultural themes, Askerov does a fine job of analyzing the multifaceted world of Russian internal and external politics and the opaque world of Chechen culture and politics. Recommended. Undergraduates through faculty; professionals.

Choice Reviews

“Valuable for those who seek broad comprehension of the Chechen conflict, its implications for the war in Ukraine, and insights into the future of Russia’s territorial integrity. Professor Askerov brings a great deal to the academic table.”

Michael M. Gunter, Professor of Political Science, Tennessee Technological University