ABSTRACT

This inroduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the actors and rationales of violence at work in Chechnya during the wars, the interwar and post-war periods. It analyzes violent practices from both state and non-state actors, the contributions examine how and by whom the state monopoly of violence was challenged during the interwar period of 1996-99, in particular by such a phenomenon as hostage taking. The book dedicates to the consequences of war and violence for Chechen society. It starts by rereading the testimonies collected by human rights organizations, so as to underline the material dimensions of the violence experienced by civilians. Special attention is paid to the situation of women: in Chechnya, a post-war 'backlash' tallies with the strategy of political elites to a dominated position under the pretext of tradition, whereas in exile various generations of women cope differently with the consequences of the war.