You may have clicked on this diary expecting a detailed, insightful discussion of Chechnya's history, culture and politics, and how the relatively recent First and Second Chechen wars, connected with an independence movement, may have influenced the Boston Marathon bombing. That was the diary I wanted to write, but it would have taken me hours, and I still would have gotten it wrong. So instead, I thought I'd start a discussion.
The news media descriptions of the history of Chechnyna, and the Chechen people have been so brief and sanitized as to be meaningless. I give them some credit for recognizing the need for an explanation. It's possible that they're cautious of connecting the Boston Marathon bombing with the temptingly easy narrative of Islamic Extremism, until there's clearer evidence that is a factor. But they may just be too lazy to write an accurate story on the topic. As was I, but then I'm just an amateur...
For those looking for a quick overview, http://en.wikipedia.org/...
I followed the Chechnya Independence movement with interest in the 90's, as I did the Taliban in Afghanistan, and other conflicts of dedicated "underdog" cultural, political, and ethnic groups against repressive/oppressive state powers. Pre-9/11, there were significantly different narratives in place, sometimes more, and sometimes less accurate then the current narratives. President Bush's speech about the "Axis of Evil", proposing a clear good/evil, black/white worldview seemed to me at the time, and remains, profoundly irresponsible. But the WOT has pushed the Overton Window in that direction, reducing complex interactions of culture, politics, and history into good guy/bad guy scenarios.
Which is where we find ourselves today. Those who weren't privileged in the 90s to have followed the story of Chechnya, may find themselves uncertain as to whether they're good guys or bad guys. And there's all these other countries involved! And diasporas! And Muslims! And Russians!
I'm sure there are more knowledgeable people on this topic, and I hope we can have an interesting discussion in the comments. My goal here is to put together a clearer perspective on the role the Chechen and Chechyna history in this issue.
FWIW, here's my perspective:
-The Chechyna Independence Movement was led by a combination of secular, ethnic, and religious (primarily muslim) groups for independence from a post-USSR Russia that was deeply concerned about losing territory. Crimes and atrocities were committed on both sides, but repressive and unjust actions by the Russian state were a key factor.
-There were expectations that entities including the US, Europe, and the UN, which claimed to stand for freedom, democracy, and human rights, would support Chechyna in their independence movement. This did not happen on a significant level (see: Czechoslovakia, Tibet, and many others).
-Outcomes of the Chechen Wars included battle-hardened veterans dedicated to a violence-based interpretation of Jihad, who went on to fight in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries, as well as a narrative similar to the Zionist narrative, that only Muslims could be relied on to stand and fight for the rights, safety, and freedom of Muslim people.
-The Boston Marathon Bombing was likely influenced directly or indirectly by the history of the Chechen people and Chechnya, with the participants feeling that they were either taking direct action against a nation that failed to oppose, or participated in injustices against Muslim people, or influenced by others who felt that way.
I hope this diary doesn't come across as provocative - that's not at all my intent. I do feel that a lack of cultural and historical knowledge/awareness is a primary contributor to irresponsible, unjust, and counterproductive actions, as exemplified by the post-9/11 US response.