Chechnya: A Commander's Death and the War's Changing Nature

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sept. 19 that Russian forces achieved a "breakthrough" in Chechnya. The death of the last senior leader of Chechen nationalist militants two days before Putin's remarks likely signals the end of organized armed resistance for the Chechen militancy's nationalist wing. Islamists will take over the movement — which means the militancy's popular support will erode and become isolated as the foreign-supported Islamist militants focus more on terrorist-style attacks and expanding hostilities beyond Chechnya.