What the Second Chechen War tells us about Russia’s ‘War on Terror’ today

... partnership would induce the US to finally treat Russia like a ‘great power’. In return for Russia fighting international terrorism, so the thinking, the US would respect Russian influence over its ‘near-abroad’ and no longer criticize ... ... and become further integrated in the alliance’s political structures. Whereas the US government had often criticised the Chechen war, it indeed changed its rhetoric after 9/11, admitting that “ Russia is fighting terrorists in Chechnya ”....