Shape Of Things To Come?

"The scale of the problem Russia faces is truly vast. The whole of Russia is a potential target and the hostage-takers appear to be a new breed of Islamist Chechens, who have literally nothing to lose... The trouble is that Moscow has done everything to exclude and alienate these Chechens. "

This is what happens when you pretend that it's impossible to negotiate with so-called "terrorists" of your own making.

The paradox of the situation is that, although Mr Putin has manifestly failed in his promise to solve the problem of Chechnya, he keeps his public support.

The Russian media rarely broadcasts an alternative point of view and anti-Chechen feelings are running higher than ever. This has now become Mr Putin's permanent problem and he will be the one who has to deal with it.