What the North Caucasus Means to Russia Russie.Nei.Visions, No. 61, July 2011

Its immediate consequences include instability in the country's southern regions, interethnic tensions and terrorist attacks that regularly occur not only in the Caucasus region, but across Russia, including Moscow. In addition, the Russian government's inability to find a political solution to the crisis in the North Caucasus is becoming apparent, undermining the country's authority in the international arena. In particular, it raises doubt over the ability of the Russian authorities to ensure security leading up to and during the Olympic Games in Sochi.