Chechnya: 30 Years of Conflict and Political Transformation

Thirty years after the First Chechen War, Chechnya remains under the control of Ramzan Kadyrov, a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kadyrov has turned Chechnya into a semi-independent state, notorious for human rights abuses, including the abduction, torture, and murder of critics and LGBTQ+ individuals. His private army of 70,000 fighters supports Putin's regime, and Kadyrov's influence extends beyond Chechnya, with reported extrajudicial killings in Moscow and Berlin. Despite speculation about his health and potential regime change, Kadyrov's power remains unchallenged, crucial for maintaining stability in the North Caucasus.