Did the Ruskies shoot down two civilian planes or did explosives detonate inside planes? If AQ, the first act is more in line than second (the explosion in the lamp post was the calling card?). If Chechen rebels, then second option is the better answer because of upcoming elections. But why do the Chechen rebels remain silent so late in the game?
Another thought, possible AQ cell operation, without aid of centralized strategy and command. Command and control has been severly altered with Khan arrest and all the communications shut down. Is it an act from a splinter cell making name for self to other whackjobs or operating in the dark on old orders?
Chechen "rebels" = Al Qaeda -- they support each other.
Tuesday, 29 October, 2002, 16:34 GMT
Al-Qaeda suspect tells of Chechnya link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2372971.stm
Some of the 11 September hijackers wanted to fight against Russia in Chechnya, their alleged accomplice has told a German court.
Mounir al-Motassadek told his trial in Hamburg that at least four of the men had gone to Afghanistan to be trained for the war in Chechnya.
The Russians were seen by the men as committing war crimes in Chechnya, Mr Motassadek said, and they wanted to go there to help combat them.