Russia Tries to Manage Chechnya's Ambitions

Tensions are rising between the Russian North Caucasus republics of Chechnya and Ingushetia once again. Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov appears to be attempting to retake lands in Ingushetia — enough area that Chechnya would nearly swallow the neighboring republic — in the coming months. The Kremlin does not want to see the powerful Chechen regime strengthen further, because Kadyrov has proved to be unwieldy in the past. However, the Kremlin will not attempt to upset Kadyrov, one of the most important elements of stability in the Caucasus — particularly with the Olympics to be held in Sochi in a year and a half.