Medvedev Pulverizes Islamic Separatists; Human Rights Groups Yawn
Read this article through imagining "Israel" for "Russia" and "Gaza" for "Ingushetia:"
MOSCOW — A day after an unusual air attack on what officials here said was a militant base in Russia’s North Caucasus region, President Dmitri A. Medvedev warned separatist fighters in the mostly Muslim region to surrender or “be destroyed.”
Speaking on the anniversary of a suicide attack on the Moscow subway that killed 40 people, Mr. Medvedev noted with regret that the Islamist militant groups almost always responsible for such lethal suicide attacks were still active, and he ordered his security services to finish them off.
“We need to do this and bring this work to an end,” he said.
Russia has been battling Islamist separatists in the North Caucasus for nearly two decades, but violence in the region occurs almost daily, and attacks in Moscow and elsewhere are not uncommon.
Mr. Medvedev said Monday’s assault on the suspected terrorist base delivered “sufficiently impressive results.”
The operation, carried out in a wooded area of Ingushetia near the border with Chechnya, was remarkable in its scale and firepower. At least 17 suspected militants were killed when Russia’s Air Force bombarded the area, officials said. It was unclear whether fighter jets or helicopters were used.
Let's go crazy, world! One-two-three: Condemn! Wait, no--those guys bombed a subway. That's not right. Of course he had to do something. That's what you get when you bomb a subway.
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May '10
Re: Medvedev Pulverizes Islamic Separatists; Human Rights Groups Yawn
Claire, I think the headline has a typo; should be "pulverizes".
Edit: and then I had my own typo ... originally had the past tense in quotes ...
Edited on Mar 29, 2011 at 2:08pmJul '10
Re: Medvedev Pulverizes Islamic Separatists; Human Rights Groups Yawn
We've been here before. One of the most consequential mistakes of the Clinton administration was its human-rights posturing during the first Chechen war, when the State Department condemned Russia without understanding the true nature of the conflict. That resulted in a permanent rift between the United States and Russia's leaders.
It was only later, with the atrocities at the Moscow Opera and the Beslan school, that it became clear what Russia was dealing with.
Jun '10
Re: Medvedev Pulverizes Islamic Separatists; Human Rights Groups Yawn
But, Claire, this is different: Russia is a big country and Israel is little one. Thus, Russia should be able to defend itself, but Israel shouldn't.
I got a D+ in my logic class. Can't understand why. I did, however, get an A in "Chomsky on moral equivalency."
May '10
Re: Medvedev Pulverizes Islamic Separatists; Human Rights Groups Yawn
I call upon the International Community to provide a no-fly zone over Ingushetia.
Jul '10
Re: Medvedev Pulverizes Islamic Separatists; Human Rights Groups Yawn
I didn't even realize Israel had a North Caucasus region.
Oct '10
Re: Medvedev Pulverizes Islamic Separatists; Human Rights Groups Yawn
The wages of terrorism Russia style, appease them not...
Jun '10
Re: Medvedev Pulverizes Islamic Separatists; Human Rights Groups Yawn
I agree in principle with Russia's right to do this, but it can be hard sometimes. The Russian military and internal security organs are bumbling, corrupt idiots that couldn't solve this problem if they actually tried. In a way, it's actually worse than Israel/Palestine. Neither party to this fight has any problem-solving credibility or something to offer the other side. Thus it will grind on in perpetuity. Meanwhile, Russia does have the right to defend itself. Just don't ever expect it to look elegant. There are no rules of engagement there.
May '10
Re: Medvedev Pulverizes Islamic Separatists; Human Rights Groups Yawn
Russia has no choice. They have to tame the Chechens before the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014. Canceling or moving the Olympics, or (heaven forfend) an actual terrorist attack during the Games, would give Russia an international black eye forever.
Re: Medvedev Pulverizes Islamic Separatists; Human Rights Groups Yawn
George Rapp: Claire, I think the headline has a typo; should be "pulverizes".
Edit: and then I had my own typo ... originally had the past tense in quotes ... · Mar 29 at 12:54pm
Edited on Mar 29 at 02:08 pm
Ouch. Thanks. That wasn't a typo, that was a misspelling, and I'm so ashamed.
Re: Medvedev Pulverizes Islamic Separatists; Human Rights Groups Yawn
I'm not even going to begin to wade into the wisdom or effectiveness--or morality--or Russian policy in the North Caucasus. Or the wisdom, effectiveness and morality of Russia, generally. My point was the comparative indifference of the world (bet you no one in Turkey even knows) and the curious absence of gibbering anti-Russianism in the press. It's not enraging the Arab street, tugging at the heartstrings of the world's conscience ... etc. Even before thinking of "anti-Semitism" as the explanation for the double standard, think about this: Israel doesn't whack journalists. You really pay, on the international scene, for having a free press.