The North Caucasus is traditionally the hottest region in Russia, its natural southern border. Many different peoples live side by side in this region. This is the region where the clash of Islamic and Christian civilizations takes place.
Ossetian-Ingush conflict
The North Caucasus is relatively calm today. But several ethnic conflicts are in a smoldering phase. The most famous is the Ossetian-Ingush conflict. In 1991, the Ingush living in the Prigorodny District of North Ossetia made an attempt to seize territories with their subsequent annexation to Ingushetia. But they were stopped by the Ossetian militia and federal troops. The Ingush, on the other hand, do not abandon the idea of expanding their living space and constantly say that they will definitely give the Ossetians revenge.
The Ingush are officially ready to support any political force that promises to revise the results of the Ossetian-Ingush confrontation. Another example: almost all the militants who seized a school in Beslan were ethnic Ingush.
The situation is complicated by the fact that the Ingush are fanatical Muslims, and the Ossetians, while retaining their traditional beliefs, gravitate towards Christianity. As a result, the ethnic conflict takes on a religious character.
Circassian question
The second unresolved issue is the unclear position of the Circassians. Today the Circassians are divided between four regions of the Russian Federation - Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, Adygea and Krasnodar Territory.
Adygs is the self-name of this people. The Circassians are what the Russians called the Circassians. Currently, the descendants of the Circassians are, in fact, the Circassians, Kabardians and Circassians, divided by regions.
Historically, the capital of the Circassians and the site of the last battle of the Circassian tribes with Tsarist Russia is the city of Krasnaya Polyana, a modern ski resort where the 22nd Winter Olympics are being held. Circassian activists are now being persecuted by the authorities, which make it clear that there will be no revision of the Circassian issue. The conflict here has a pronounced anti-Russian character.
Muslim expansion
Another problem for the North Caucasus is the expansion of Wahhabism, an unconventional Islam for the region, exported by Saudi Arabia. An armed jihad against infidels is taking place in the forests of Dagestan and Ingushetia. But in essence, the problem is expressed in the excessive passionarity of the local population and the lack of prospects. The solution to most of the Caucasian problems lies in improving the social sphere, which is what the federal authorities are concerned about today.
