It seems that no matter what we are hearing about Chechnya, it is difficult to feel very optimistic about it.  Many newspaper editorials are panicking, while the declarations of “victory” seem akin to George W. Bush’s “mission accomplished” moment.  Among other coverage today, there is this one from the Wall Street Journal:

Some analysts say Moscow’s decision to remove federal oversight illustrates a method of dealing with insurgency that is practical and paradoxical — giving power to former rebels in return for rhetorical loyalty.

“It’s a gentlemen’s agreement,” says Sergei Arutyunov, a Chechnya expert at Russia’s Academy of Sciences. “The Kremlin gives Kadyrov a free hand in return for 100% verbal support and peace.” (…)