THE RUSSIAN BEAR…
(…still has a Chechen boil on its ass)

The two recent bombing events in Sochi, apparently aimed at disrupting the upcoming Winter Olympics there, while not formally claimed by any particular terrorist group, seems to have been the work of Chechen dissidents. Apparently these have never abandoned their objectives of breaking off from their Russian connection.

As far back as the great Catherine, the trans-Caucasus region has been a problem for the Russians. Simply put, whether, Czarist, Soviet, or Federation, Russian authority as an overlord attempting to control and run things there, has always faced opposition to the presence of Russian authority in that region …and to this day…the Russian Bear still has a Chechen boil on it ass.

One would think that Moscow would have figured out by now that no amount of “muscle” will ever keep the Chechens docile and in line. And given the conflicting religious aspects involved, it could be better off if it were rid of Chechnya entirely. It would be no great loss for Russia. As things are now…to continue trying to maintain its hold on the region will only be a drag on its efforts for peace and stability.  Instead, with a bit of reverse psychology, it could unilaterally declare Chechnya no longer part of the Russian Federation, and, since it has the means and the military manpower to seal off the entire length of its border with Chechnya, it is cutting it off entirely from itself and leaving it to stew in its own juices.

Economically and otherwise that might not be for very long, but that wouldn’t be a Russian problem anymore. As for the Islamist elements there, these would then be forced to face the reality of being on their own. Since none of their immediate other neighbors are particularly “friendly”, such a quarantine from the rest of the world might convince them that indiscriminate suicidal bombings against others are not the answer for whatever complaints or objections they might have about it.

CENTURION