A Realistic Settlement

In Chechen Society, an interview with Zbigniew Brzezinski:

A realistic settlement would need to isolate extremists on both sides, while strengthening the moderates who see no profit or glory in continued bloodshed. Unfortunately, the Russian authorities have wrongly attempted to discredit Maskhadov's influence, despite his symbolic significance to a majority of Chechens. A ceasefire agreement reached with Maskhadov's approval would undercut the fundamentalist Islamic extremists. A majority of Russians would be relieved by the war's peaceful end. And a legitimate peace would end the enormous human, financial, and moral cost of the war.

In contrast, Putin's political reforms will certainly centralize power, but they will not create a solution to the situation in Chechnya or to the instability throughout the North Caucasus.