North Caucasus – a contradictory European view

Recent events in the native village of Ramzan Kadyrov have once again drawn the attention of European mass-media sources. It is no secret that the attitude of international human rights organizations towards Kadyrov is rather ambivalent. Any information about Chechnya is perceived through the magnifying glass of the international press.

The public image of Kadyrov in the West has been formed artificially to a great extent. This gets in the way of forming an objective perception of this charismatic politician, as well as such a significant topic as the new Kremlin policy in the Caucasus. This superficial attitude, based on 90s’ stereotypes, requires serious revision.

However, in practice the opposite is displayed. Serious analysis is substituted for propagandistic stereotypes. Journalists lack a view of the situation in Chechnya and the North Caucasus from inside. Thus, they cannot draw any systematic conclusions from their knowledge. The situation in Chechnya is shown in general terms. This leads to simplifications. Thus, the authorities and militants are equated. Mainly only the attitude of Moscow governmental offices is shown, but not the points of view of regional public figures. This takes away from the authenticity of the data.

In the West, Kadyrov is shown as a deputy of the Kremlin, invested with unlimited authority, as a politician breaching human rights. However, this characteristic does not fully embody the complicated machinery of relations in Chechen society, its psychology and the patterns of interaction between the major clans. The simplified “tyrant/liberal leader” approach can provide no explanation of any of the elements of the facts of the North Caucasus. On the contrary, it hampers comprehension of the new pattern of interaction between the Kremlin and the regions. Who will explain Kadyrov’s success and the problems of the Dagestani authorities. May we place all the complex causes on Kadyrov’s personality?

Journalists have retained their views on Chechnya from the First Chechen War. But we hope that the tragic events of the First Chechen War are just a challenge of the past, not a prophecy,

Alexei Vlasov