Publication

This paper examines the Russian Republic of Dagestan's socio-economic problems, politics (since 2006), ethnic diversity, and ongoing Islamist insurgency. More specifically, the paper's authors examine 1) the Islamic revival in the republic following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of tensions between different Islamic groups since then; 2) what impact the wars in Chechnya have had on Dagestan; 3) how the current Islamist insurgency is connected to socio-economic problems, including high youth unemployment, poor governance and corruption; 4) how the high level of ethnic diversity in Dagestan affects its politics and society; and 5) how political leaders in the Republic and Moscow have responded to the problems created by the previous issues.