Chechnya: Life in a War-Torn Society (California Series in Public Anthropology, 6)

This book illuminates one of the world's most troubled regions from a unique perspective-that of a prominent Russian intellectual. Valery Tishkov, a leading ethnographer who has also served in several important political posts, examines the evolution of the war in Chechnya that erupted in 1994, untangling the myths, the long-held resentments, and the ideological manipulations that have fueled the crisis. In particular, he explores the key themes of nationalism and violence that feed the turmoil there. Forceful, original, and timely, his study combines extensive interview material, historical perspectives, and deep local knowledge. Tishkov sheds light on Chechnya in particular and on how secessionist conflicts can escalate into violent conflagrations in general. With its balanced assessments of both Russian and Chechen perspectives, this book will be essential reading for people seeking to understand the role of Islamic fundamentalist nationalism in the contemporary world. Illustrations: 1 map This Is An Illumination Of One Of The World's Most Troubled Regions From A Unique Perspective - That Of A Prominent Russian Intellectual. Valery Tishkov Examines The Evolution Of The War In Chechnya That Erupted In 1994, Untangling The Myths And The Long-held Resentments That Have Fueled The Crisis. Foreword; Preface; 1 Ethnography And Theory; 2 Indigenization, Deportation, And Return; 3 Contradictory Modernization; 4 Chechen Images; 5 The Road To War; 6 Dzhokhar: Hero And Devil; 7 The Sons Of War; 8 The Culture Of Hostage-taking; 9 Violence In Secessionist Warfare; 10 The Impact On Family Life; 11 Religion And The Chechen Conflict; 12 The Myth And Reality Of The Great Victory; 13 An Ideology Of Extremes; 14 Chechnya As A Stage And A Role; Notes; Main Characters; Informants And Interviewers; Select Bibliography; Index. Valery Tishkov ; With A Foreword By Mikhail S. Gorbachev. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 251-267) And Index. FOREWORD......Page 10 PREFACE......Page 16 1 Ethnography and Theory......Page 22 2 Indigenization, Deportation, and Return......Page 37 3 Contradictory Modernization......Page 53 4 Chechen Images......Page 70 5 The Road to War......Page 78 6 Dzhokhar: Hero and Devil......Page 96 7 The Sons of War......Page 111 8 The Culture of Hostage-Taking......Page 128 9 Violence in Secessionist Warfare......Page 148 10 The Impact on Family Life......Page 172 11 Religion and the Chechen Conflict......Page 185 12 The Myth and Reality of the “Great Victory”......Page 201 13 An Ideology of Extremes......Page 217 14 Chechnya as a Stage and a Role......Page 231 NOTES......Page 254 MAIN CHARACTERS......Page 260 INFORMANTS AND INTERVIEWERS......Page 268 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 272 INDEX......Page 290 Along the way, I found myself confronted by a moral dilemma not easy to explain.