Insurgency Success Factors and Rebel Legitimacy
ABSTRACT
Alison S. Tomas: Legitimacy, Success and Rebellion in Chechnya: The Rise and Fall of Chechen
Independence
(Under the direction of Eren Tasar)
This paper traces rebel legitimacy in Chechnya from 1990-2007 to determine the impact
of heightened legitimacy on rebel outcomes of success. The findings of this analysis suggest that
the ability of Chechen rebels to obtain legitimacy amongst national political elites, the
international community, and the local population contributed significantly to the movement's
ability to access resources, networks, and materials that contributed to the movement's initial
success in the early 1990's. Consequently, reduced legitimacy in the later years of the rebellion
facilitated challenges to rebel ability to access materials and avenues that support successful
rebellion outcomes.
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