Chechen Republic of Ichkeria

with a variety of nationalities and languages that has repeatedly voiced discontent with central governments in Moscow. Given the low number of Russians in the region (less than 2% in the 2010 census), high opposition to federal rule, and rise of Islamic radicalism within the republic, it is puzzling as to why Russia has had extensive military intervention in Chechnya as to deny its secession. Why was Russia so adamant upon refusing Chechen independence? In this essay, I will try to identify the foremost reason for this intervention, primarily in regards to the First and Second Chechen War. Scholars have disputing…

The establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922 helped to reduce the role of Islam in Chechnya by forcing adaptations to Soviet centralization. During World War II, a large number of Chechens were deported, further fragmenting the Chechen population, culture, and religion and reducing Islam’s role in the rise of the 1994 conflict as religion was a less central focus in Chechen lives due to their effective refugee status following deportation. Instead, Islam was pushed to the background as…