PONARS Policy Memo 204 - Toward a U.S. Policy on Chechnya

U.S. policy on Chechnya must bridge three objectives: cooperating with Russia on counterterrorism, stopping abuses in the conduct of the war in Chechnya, and finding a political solution for long-term stability in the Caucasus. Contrary to conventional wisdom, these objectives are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Moreover, working with Russia against terrorism presents an opportunity for the United States to formulate a proactive policy toward a political solution agreeable to both parties. In the aftermath of September 11, U.S. policymakers should take advantage of fundamental changes in the political-military dynamic of the conflict in Chechnya to aggressively pursue all three objectives.