One of the constant themes throughout Russian history going back to when they were Scythian tribes is that however much effort they make to join the civilized world, they live in a really crappy neighborhood with some real scum as neighbors. Unfortunately they are not protected by natural boarders. If the neighbors want nicer Russians they should try better behavior on their own part.
The Chechens may not like their lot in life, but when they made common cause with Al Qaida they set sympathy for their cause back by a century or two and and they are going to pay a very high price. The international wind wasn't blowing that way.
AndyJackson wrote: One of the constant themes throughout Russian history going back to when they were Scythian tribes is that however much effort they make to join the civilized world, they live in a really crappy neighborhood with some real scum as neighbors.
Andy, I tend to agree with you on the above. I think the single greatest factor preventing the Russians (as opposed to the Soviets) from "joining" the civilized world was the fact that their geography prevented them from accessing the trade routes. This also retarded their progress towards a market oriented/free market economy. They did their best to remedy the situation, and probably would have succeeded, but before they could do so the Soviets took over and erected the Iron Curtain.