He does seem to be very concerned with maintaining a large and powerful Military, for a country which only has a GNP equivalent to that of Belgium! Perhaps, he should cut his Military down to 200,000 professionals, they could still defend Russia and save money at the same time. Russia would still have a large nuclear arsenal to deter anyone from invading. They could spend the money they save on hospitals, orphanages, schools and public transport etc.
If any uppish generals go for a coup, he could have them liquidated, he spent 15 years in the KGB after all.
However, he would have to make peace with the Chechens and he couldn't do that because that would be a betrayal of his 'strong man' image, which he was careful to portray during the elections.
You make attacks on Russia but avoid answering the questions of Chechin terrorist participation that are now proven facts...very Berkly of you.
I addressed the link between the Shariah muslim militants and al-Qaeda in my post above. I am sure that Chechen rebels have been responsible for some terrible terrorist incidents. But the IRA were also responsible for similar atrocities and the only way Britain got any peace from them was through a political solution.
It takes more then nukes to defend a country, look at Isreal. 400 nukes are not enough to stop Islamics from attacking.
The Islamics in Chechnya had 3 years of independence, during which time they imported Taliban/Al Quida, instituted Shaire, exported heroine, terror, prostitution, and kidnapped and tortured 1,500 people, including quite a few Americans and Brits...all the while wiping out Orthodox and other Christian groups.
But all of these are inconvinient details in your cospiracy theories.
Only for some? If Chechen (or rather Wahhabi extremists) are so peaceful why Russians bother about them? They could leave them alone as it was done before Chechen invasion of Dagestan. Or are you saying that this invasion was also a police provocation?