Both Chechen wars have started before Putin came to power. And both were lost by Russia, actually. Russia just picked one of many rivalling clans and pays tribu

Both Chechen wars have started before Putin came to power. And both were lost by Russia, actually. Russia just picked one of many rivalling clans and pays tribute to them. So no, it's not Machiavellian, more like a gopnik who stole a TV set while the neighbors were putting out a fire in their house.