Ramzan Kadyrov: the Kremlin’s Public Frenemy Number One

Feature looks at the relations between Ramzan Kadyrov, Head of the Chechen Republic within Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In his extreme activities, the author suggests that Kadyrov is carrying out his usual tactic of asserting his autonomy in the guise of protesting his loyalty. He may indeed be, as he put it, Putin’s loyal 'footsoldier”, but in the name of crushing a secessionist rebellion he has been able to create a virtually independent Chechnya, in deed if not in name.

In the related url Politico article the author suggests that 'A crazed Chechen leader, once a Putin favorite, is embarrassing the Kremlin by threatening everyone'.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Chechnya: The Inner Abroad http://www.europeansources.info/record/chechnya-the-inner-abroad/

Politico, 03.02.16: How Putin created a monster in Chechnya http://www.politico.eu/article/how-putin-created-a-monster-in-chechnya/

ECFR: Commentary, 03.03.16: Making sense of Kadyrov’s political posturing http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_making_sense_of_kadryovs_political_posturing_6018

ESO: Background Information: Kadyrov attacks the Russian opposition http://www.europeansources.info/record/kadyrov-attacks-the-russian-opposition/

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