GHIMRI, Russia — A dripping and cavernous tunnel, three miles through the belly of the mountain and lighted only by a spindly strand of dim bulbs, marks the entrance to the land of deep gorges and outlaw villages of the Caucasus range.
Emerging in the bright daylight on the other side is like entering another world, a Russia that is not Russia. Road signs every few feet are bright green with Arabic script: "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is his prophet." Several dozen signs bear the words of a legendary Caucasian warrior: "He who thinks about consequences is not a hero."
Since the 19th century, Russia has tried to tame the 650 miles of snowy peaks and fertile lowland slopes between the Caspian and Black seas. Today, the Caucasus wars seeping out of Chechnya through the surrounding, predominantly Muslim republics are increasingly being waged under a banner of militant Islam.
A tip of the hat goes to the LA Times for finally coming out with some information that many of us have already known for years, now. I really have to hand it to them. I mean, what finally led them to this conclusion? Was it the seizure of the Moscow theater a few years ago? The school siege? What finally got them to admit the reality of this struggle?
Know this, the Domino Theory is still alive and well. Russia, Indonesia, Kashmir, and Thailand are current targets of a big land grabbing operation by jihadists. Who will it be tomorrow?
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