ASSESSMENTS
Russia: A Militant Leader Steps Down
Aug 2, 2010 | 22:40 GMT
KAZBEK BASAYEV/AFP/Getty Images
Summary
Caucasus Emirate leader Doku Umarov announced his resignation, citing health reasons, in a video released Aug. 1. The resignation of a militant leader is very unusual and comes during a decisive time for Umarov's group. A STRATFOR source said the resignation is very deliberate and is intended to make way for a more charismatic leader. Nevertheless, changes in leadership create risks, and many challenges still confront the Caucasus Emirate — most notably the Kremlin, which will surely attempt to exploit any weaknesses that a change in leadership (even if nominal) would reveal.
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