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Originally posted by Krypton The oil situation, I'll give kudos to Russia. They shouldn't have to subsidize their former satellites of oil now that they are no longer satellites. The western nations have accepted the sovereignty of foreign states long ago. It probably took armed revolt to do it in some instances, but the parent nation usually got the message and granted independence. Grozny is one of the most dangerous capitals in the world. It is clear that the Chechnyans want their independence, and the longer Russia draws out the conflict, the longer the turmoil will continue. Russia will never subdue Chechnya, and the sooner they realize that, the better. That is something western nations have realized and dealt with long ago.

Actually, the reason why independence movements have began in Russia is because of economic collapses of late 1980s-late1990s. People blamed the central power for their hardships, and other radicals like Dudayev and Basayev used this an an excuse to fight for independence to achieve happiness for its people. However, in 1996-1999 years of Chechen independence, quite the opposite happened - mafia, crime, murder reigned, most people were unemloyed and had to look for criminal activity to pay for survival. The country was never rebuilt at that time. Chechen people suffered greatly in 1991-2003. Since then a new light in shining in Russia, funded by high oil and gas prices, which are fueling the economic growth and rebuilding of the whole country.

Chechens are tired of the war. They are determined to settle down and live in peace than to uproot and continue destruction of their own people, their own land. They saw what Wahhabism did in 1996-1999. It didnt bring them prosperity.

Chechnya is being rebuilt, steadily, and I think in the future it will be one of the most prosperous regions in the country based on natural resources and people's experience that state of war does not make their life better.

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