Tactics in the Russia-Chechnya conflict have shifted toward terrorism as the war loses popularity among Chechen citizens, according to this week's Kennedy Center lecturer.

Dodge Billingsley, a documentary filmmaker and author, spoke Wednesday about the Chechen resistance against Russia as part of the Global Awareness Lecture Series in the Kennedy Center for International Studies.

"Chechens view themselves as a legitimate armed force and not as terrorists," Billingsley said. "It's not that they aren't terroristic or used terrorist tactics, but they are not a terrorist group on a global level."

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Delaware-sized state of Chechnya declared its independence from Russia. Since the Russian invasion of Chechnya in 1994, war has plagued this country except for a three-year period of peace from 1996 to 1999. Sporadic guerrilla warfare between Russia and Chechnya continues today.

As the war drags into its 15th year, ideological changes in Chechnya amongst the rising generation have led to a split within the country. Many are forced to decide to either support the Russian-backed government and president of Chechnya or continue to fight against the Russians.

"Much of the Chechen population feels that the resistance doesn't represent them," Billingsley said. "By now, many have grown tired of the war."

According to Billingsley, the Chechen resistance has moved from the cities to the mountains and has become more jihadi than ever.

"The population does not resonate with that kind of resistance," Billingsley said.

Billingsley is writing a book about the conflict, but not from a historical perspective.

"This project is done from a soldier's perspective," Billingsley said. "We don't really care what the generals or the politicians think. So far it's a fascinating process to talk to the soldiers about the war."

Billingsley, who was illegally smuggled into the country, recounted stories of the Chechen soldiers during the lecture.

One Chechen man, who Billingsley called "Vakha," lived in a ravine in the mountains for a year surviving on wild leeks and raw fish while fulfilling his duties as a Chechen recon soldier.

Others that Billingsley met supported the Russian-backed government and looked forward to the day when the conflict would be over.

According to Billingsley, an immediate end to the conflict is not expected because the Chechen government lacks organization and the resistance movement, though tired and diminished in numbers, is still strong enough to continue.

Copyright Brigham Young University 26 Jun 2008