Russia's North Caucasus

The Cost, Risks, and Benefits

Dear Subscribers,

“Barbershop Whispers….Russia” begins with “My Takeaways”on the main topic followed by the main topic discussion. The last two sections of “Barbershop Whispers…Russia” will be follow-ups from previous publications and emerging events.

In last week’s BWR issue, I discussed Ukraine's EU accession invitation and its economic and political impact on Russia. What are the geopolitical and economic consequences of Ukrainian EU membership for Russia. 

This week, given Putin’s presidential pardon of one of the convicted killers of Anna Politkovskaya, a Russian investigative journalist who wrote extensively about the Chechen wars, and the Kremlin’s tepid reaction to the Dagestani airport riot, I will discuss the importance of the North Caucasus and t…