Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Russia is defeating the Chechen rebels using an ancient practice, but denying that they are doing so
strategypage.com ^ | December 19, 2001 | Q & D Headlines

Posted on 12/21/2001 7:05:42 AM PST by Pericles

December 19, 2001; Russia is defeating the Chechen rebels using an ancient practice, but denying that they are doing so. For thousands of years, the most effective way of pacifying a hostile population was to turn your army loose to pillage the civilians. Rape, robbery and random violence eventually made the locals willing to calm down. Russia denies that it is doing this, but the actions of many of the troops says otherwise. The behavior of the Russian troops continues to be brutal, even though several dozen have been tried for bad behavior. The local rebels are asking for peace talks.

December 18, 2001; The Defense Ministry reports that 1,689 rebels have been killed in Chechnya so far this year. An estimated 1,500 rebels remain active in Chechnya, with another thousand operating in neighboring countries and provinces.

December 17, 2001; In the last 24 hours, 16 rebels were killed in Chechnya. Meanwhile, in both 2000 and 2001, Russia exported at least $4 billion worth of arms. India has been the biggest customer.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-28 next last

1 posted on 12/21/2001 7:05:42 AM PST by Pericles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Pericles
Frankly, I don't care "how" just as long as these terrorist allies are put on ice.
2 posted on 12/21/2001 7:09:03 AM PST by mgc1122
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pericles
Same playbook the Islamic fundamentalists are using. Murder,rape, burn out and drive out the opposition then call for elections for an Islamic State. Seems to work for them.
3 posted on 12/21/2001 7:12:41 AM PST by steve50
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pericles
All is too quiet on the Macedonian front also. I'm beginning to fear that something is up with these terrorist. All of them didn't leave Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia and Chechnya to go to Afghanistan.
4 posted on 12/21/2001 7:15:12 AM PST by Andy from Beaverton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pericles
Russia has horrible problems with troop discipline among their rank and file conscripts. Stories of brutal hazing practices emerged following the fall of the Soviet Union and abuse of conscripts was, and maybe still is, rampant. Putin has made some encouraging noises of late regarding moving towards a professional force but so far nothing has happened. Hopefully for the soldiers Putin's seeming willingness to reduce his nuke force and downsize the army (despite protests from commanders) might give him the opportunity to improve life for the troops, but the rot will take perhaps decades to fix.

Don't mistake this as saying I wish to see the Russian military trun into a credible threat against the West (their nukes are enough of a problem) but the simple fact is that an out of control military in Russia is in no one's best interest, especially if their economy turns into the tank.

5 posted on 12/21/2001 7:15:13 AM PST by mitchbert
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: KirbyJ
Really? Where are the stories of Isreali soldiers looting and raping? It seems more like the Palies and the 20 neighboring Muslim countries are trying to forcibly remove the Jews more than the other way around. They wouldn't be calling it 'occupied' territory for 50 years if they were being driven out.
7 posted on 12/21/2001 7:27:50 AM PST by Teacher317
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Teacher317
The only news stories I've read are how the Arab Moslems are raping Arab Christians in Bethlehem to intimidate them into supporting the PA, or something to that effect.
8 posted on 12/21/2001 7:49:36 AM PST by a_witness
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: KirbyJ
Gawd, what ignorance. There's 3 things in life you can count on: Death, Taxes, and anti-Jewish hatred and ignorance. Have a blissful day, buddy.....
9 posted on 12/21/2001 9:26:11 AM PST by Malcolm
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Pericles
It's amazing that all those "anti-war" people around the world are really just "anti-american." Where are all the protests in Europe and the rest of the world protesting this war in Chechnya? How many civilians have been killed here? I doubt the Russians know what "pin-point" accuracy is when it comes to bombing.
10 posted on 12/21/2001 9:35:02 AM PST by the FLY
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #11 Removed by Moderator

To: the FLY
Are you kidding? Bush was hosting Chechen officials at the State Dept a month before 9/11. Then some ex Chechen Jihadists flew into a few American buildings. Things change youknowwhatImean? I am glad we are backing the Russians against the scum that is the Chechens. Go get em Russkies and don't stop till you send them all and then some to Allah.
12 posted on 12/21/2001 9:59:09 AM PST by Pericles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: mgc1122
Frankly, I don't care "how" just as long as these terrorist allies are put on ice. And rape is just fine with you?
13 posted on 12/21/2001 10:07:59 AM PST by TopQuark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: KirbyJ; steve50
Same playbook that the Muslims AND Israelis are both using. Two questions: (i) Chechnya is Muslim and the rebels are fundamentalists, so Steve's remark is relevant, but what does it have to do with Israel? Or do you want to bring into the discussion the Colombian drug cartel also?

(ii) Where is it documented that Israelis --- whether civilian or military -- used rape to control the opposition?

14 posted on 12/21/2001 10:12:35 AM PST by TopQuark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: the FLY
It's amazing that all those "anti-war" people around the world are really just "anti-american." Where are all the protests in Europe The double standard is clearly there.

This application of it has, ironically, a long history. As you recall, the 1815 Vienna conference ushered peace in Europe, much desired after the bloody Napoleonic wars. The regining Russian tsar was somewhat of a liberal. He even was intrigued by the American Revolution. But his successor in 1820s was of a more typical Russian stock. Knowing full well that his royal counter-parts in Europe would not risk peace because of extra-European endeavors, he marched to the Caucaus region and "acquired" those lands --- including Chechnya.

It has been a tradition with the Europeans to close their eyes on what Russia does in that region.

15 posted on 12/21/2001 10:22:34 AM PST by TopQuark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: KirbyJ
The minute one of these "childrens" parents put a rifle in their kids hands and said it's ok to go kill Jews, these so called children became combatants, and should be treated as such according to the laws of land warfare!!!!!!!!!!
16 posted on 12/21/2001 10:39:29 AM PST by sean327
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: TopQuark
What part of "I don't care" do you not understand?
17 posted on 12/21/2001 10:41:48 AM PST by mgc1122
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: mgc1122
What part of "I don't care" do you not understand? That part where your heart used to be.
18 posted on 12/21/2001 10:43:40 AM PST by TopQuark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: TopQuark
Cry me a river. Better yet, join the Chechen rebels and defend their honor. Good luck with the Russkies. I personally hope they plow the lot of them completely under.
19 posted on 12/21/2001 10:47:03 AM PST by mgc1122
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Pericles
"The greatest joy a man can know is to conquer his enemies and drive them before him, to ride their horses and take away their possessions, to see the faces of those dear to them bedewed with tears, and to clasp their wives and daughters in their arms"
Ghengis Khan

Looks like the Russians have been brushing up on their history all right.
20 posted on 12/21/2001 10:54:51 AM PST by TADSLOS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-28 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson