Russia’s Renegade Puppet
When the Kremlin installed Ramzan Kadyrov as president of Chechnya, he seemed an effective antidote to the jihadist threat. But the logical conclusion of the Kremlin’s policy appears to be precisely what it sought to prevent – Chechen independence – when it engaged in the first Chechen war almost a generation ago.
MOSCOW – Ramzan Kadyrov, the president of Chechnya, recently proposed to Ahmed Zakaev, a leader of the nationalistic and comparatively moderate Chechen opposition, that he return to Chechnya. Kadyrov promised Zakaev amnesty and various positions ranging from director of the local theater to Minister of Culture.