Imagine you are Putin in 1999 and you have to solve the problem of Ichkeria right there right now. You can't go back to 1824. Or 1944. Or 1992. What do you do?

Imagine you are Putin in 1999 and you have to solve the problem of Ichkeria right there right now. You can't go back to 1824. Or 1944. Or 1992. What do you do? I've described the context. If you do nothing, Ichkerians will hostage or rob more people and your popular support will dwindle because of your inaction and somebody more eager takes your place. I am patiently explaining it to you for some reason, whereas in context of Iraq, Lybia and Syria this is completely moot.