I wonder why the place is so damn important to the Russians. It's about the size of Rhode Island. The people there are beyond fanaticism and seem the most willing people on earth to blow themselves up. On the other hand, the Russians have been accused of very heavy handed tactics in their occupation of this place. Mass executions, rigged elections, assasinations, all are rumored to be going on there. The Chechies are responding with incredible vicousness. Supposedly the group casuing the most casualities are called The Black Widows, widows of the men killed by the Russkies who are strapping on suicide bombs. All and all a very nasty little war.