How Russian Special Forces Ended the Seige in Moscow

BBC News ^ | Oct. 26, 2002 | BBC News

[agoldin]

>What do you make of the bottle of cognac being set near the dead Islamofascist leader? Is that some sort of symbol?

I was told this is a special kind of humor. Just making sure he is not going to whatever passes as heaven.

[Restorer]

It comes down to this: If you are fighting a "jihad", no matter where it is, you are the enemy. The KGB is not our enemy any longer.

Another way of saying, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Exactly what got us involved in supporting Osama in Afghanistan against the Russians and Saddam against Iran.

Not necessarily an untrue statement. But this tactic should be approached with fear and trembling.

[Restorer]

I agree with Pepsionice that two view the Chechnyan rebels in a benevolent light simply because of the flaws of the Russians is foolish; let us not make the same mistake of viewing the world through a Wilsonian lense and seeing self determination as an inherently good thing.

I agree. It is also true that we should not view the Russians (or rather their government) as inherently wonderful becuase they are engaged in a fight against the Chechens.

[Lizard_King]

Very good point. There was a great editorial in the WSJ from a Russian diplomat stressing why Chechnya was different from Afghanistan and how Putin was messing it all up. I think the Chechnyans really shot themselves in the foot by 1) allowing the terrorist act to occur and 2) not disavowing it, ordering them to surrender when it did occur (which indicates some degree of collusion).

I also agree that perhaps my earlier post was too easy on the Russkies...I certainly did not mean to imply that we should be all hugs and kisses on account of having what *seems* like a common enemy. I do think it might be a valid way, at least through private channels, to get Russia on board for Iraq...else some wingnut might demand a peaceful UN resolution to the Chechnya issue, and THAT would be sooo tragic /sarcasm

[Restorer]

Darn, it looks like we're in agreement. :)

I'm not fond of either side in this conflict. Both have committed atrocities, with the Russians performing what would certainly qualify as terrorist acts if committed by the other side.

If push comes to shove, I would prefer the Russians to win, primarily because their opponents are intimately linked with those who are attacking us. Any victory by the Chechens is a boost for our enemies.