[jaguar]

The net result is damn ugly, 300 or so dead, about half kids, we won't have a final toll for a while yet and it sounds like the area is still a bit of a warzone. Interesting that this was pre-planned with the weaponry installed during the summer, this was a well prepped operation. My gut feeling is that Islamic fundie elements have infiltrated and perverted the more radical elements of the chechen rebels but it's hard to be sure yet.

Take the wind out of my sails? Don't see why. Yes, a whole bunch of kids died, it's fucking awful but the point remains. Particularly about your pack of understanding. Firstly, you assume that all groups are working together. It's fairly clear they are not, there are various factions that use differing methods and it wouldn't be the first time they've fought each other, even if one wanted to call a ceasefire, who says the other would. Same problem was a right pain in the ass in Northern Ireland with career thugs like the 'Real IRA'.

Secondly, you assume that they have something to gain from doing so, I doubt they feel the same way, why on earth should they capitulate to drunk violent Russian occupation that will being no real peace or stability to the country anyway?

Thirdly, you seem to think that armed resistance never helps. Interesting, sadly not supported by history. Nelson Mandella was once a terrorist, hell, Israel might never have existed unless their terrorists blew up the King David hotel, the IRA gained political ground, the Communists are about to take over Nepal (strangely not making the news). The long and short is that force works. This appears to be a different breed of operation piggybacking on the chechen cause but it will still bring some attention to a conflict that has fallen on dead ears and as Russia eyes NATO, might force them to clean up their act there in the long term.