The history of Chechnya is one of imperialism gone terribly wrong. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Chechens were among the few peoples to fend off Mongol conquerors, but at a terrible cost. Turks, Persians, and Russians sought to seize Chechnya, and it was finally absorbed into the Russian Empire in 1859.

Chechens are Muslim, and some share the belief that the West is engaged in a global campaign against Islam.

Chechens are not ethnically or culturally Russian, and have now been fighting for generations to free themselves from Russian rule.

Stephen Kinzer Quotes