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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
Russian security sweep in northwest Caucasus |
2005-03-17 |
![]() Just some background: all four of these tribal groups are traditionally Muslim, but the Karachays and especially the Balkars (both of Turkic ethnicity, both temporarily deported to Central Asia by Stalin) lean toward Islamic fundamentalism and hostility toward Russia. The Cherkess and Kabardins (both of Circassian ethnicity, both treated as "loyal minorities" by Stalin) are generally pro-Russian. When drawing local borders, the Kremlin deliberately mismatched the four groups following the usual Soviet "divide and rule" minority policy. Ethnic-themed politics and occasional violence within each republic have been increasingly common since the late 90s, especially after Karachay-Cherkessia's 1999 presidential election. Balkars and Karachays tend to favor splintering off into ever smaller and smaller autonomies, whereas the two Circassian groups prefer keeping close ties to Russia. |
Posted by:Rex Rufus |