RUSSIA’S USE OF PSEUDO-ANTI-TERRORIST NARRATIVES TO PURSUE AGGRESSIVE IMPERIAL POLICIES – THE CASE OF CHECHNYA

Abstract

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent launch of the Global War on Terror were among the most transformative moments in human history, fundamentally altering the political trajectory of the world map. Most scholarly works on this topic primarily focus on the U.S.-led military campaigns and their outcomes or influence on the modern world. However, the relevance of the issue extends beyond the Middle East, which is why it is important to examine other key political actors and their actions - in this case, Russia.

This paper explores how Russia exploited the Global War on Terror, launched in the aftermath of the attacks, to pursue its own imperialist objectives. Given the complexity of the subject, the research focuses specifically on the case of Chechnya and examines the multifaceted ways in which Russia employed pseudo-anti-terrorist narratives, laying the foundation for the spread of Kremlin’s aggressive propaganda. Using Chechnya as an example, the paper analyzes how Russia portrayed itself as a victim of terrorism in order to justify its expansionist and violent actions and to secure international support.