New HMFIC for the Training of the Russian Military

Russia has placed a new general officer in charge of the training of the Russian military. Some information on Lieutenant General Valery Yevnevich does exist out there. According to Jamestown, Yevnevich spent almost seven years in Moldova overseeing the Russian peacekeeping operation in that area. The big cesspool of Moldova is the Transistria region that has become a center of crime. Anything from human trafficking to drugs and weapons smuggling, it's an A-Z of crime.

What's intersting to note is that Yevnevich replaced Alexander Lebed, who was apparently recalled due to pressure from mob leadership in the area. Yevnevich, though, was able to overcome the political strength of the criminals in Transistria and pretty much defang them and remove and destroy just about all of the military material that had been passed to them over the years. Yevnevich appears to be a true professional officer dedicated to the success of the Russian military. One has to wonder if he'll work to professionalize the military and develop it into a factor of democratic strength in Russia, or will he work to strengthen Russia as a threat to the region? Time will tell, but I'll hope for the former. Sphere: Related Content

Medvedev wants Chechen murders solved

The murders of human rights activists in Chechnya continues with latest two deaths, those of Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband, Alik Dzhabrailov earlier this week. Like the earlier deaths of Estimorova and Politkovskaya, they were people who were trying to show the rest of the world about the goings on in Russia and Chechnya.

Yesterday, President Medvedev announced that he wants Ramzan Kadyrov to work harder to solve these murders. While this may sound good and play well in the press, what power or force will Medvedev wield over Kadyrov to truly make this happen? Ramzan's ascent to power and his support from Putin (awarded the Hero of Russia and controller of reconstruction funds in Chechnya) makes it clear that Kadyrov understands he has carte blanche to control Chechnya as he sees fit to keep it from flaring up again. Kadyrov's statements on the murder of Estimorova only help to reinforce this view of him as Moscow's tough guy in the region.

Sarah Mendelson over at Foreign Policy has a great analysis on the situation in Chechnya these days, well worth the read. Sphere: Related Content