Insurgency Success Factors and Rebel Legitimacy
Reduction in Russian elite academic and political support had several important effects
on the rebellion's access to political space and accompanying benefits. First, rising negative
perceptions of the rebellion in political space reduced the ideological flexibility in official
political space of awarding Chechen independence. In particular, growing associations with
Islamic extremism and acts of terrorism influenced decisions made by actors in political space to
begin to treat the rebellion as an insurgency versus a legitimate political regime. Lack of support
from Russian elites allowed Russia to pursue a harder stance against Chechnya without fear of
political repercussions from elites 88. This enabled Putin to implement policies revoking rebel
legitimacy, and reducing economic and political negotiations with rebel actors, with the backing
of Russian elite writing and influence. As a result, rebel legitimacy was substantially reduced in
official Russian political space.
Chechen political elites also played crucial roles in affecting the rebellion's legitimacy.
Initially, Chechen political elites supported the movement, as they believed it would increase
their power in Chechnya. Chechen elites were particularly attracted to the opportunity to benefit
from access to and control over an independent Chechen oil industry 89. Dudayev's leadership
and the initial momentum of the movement seemed to confirm the potential for success of an
independent Chechnya. For these reasons, elites awarded Dudayev with legitimacy in Chechen
political space, by supporting his leadership, cause, and activity 90. The support of Chechen
political elites allowed Dudayev to access the resources, power, and networks of elites, and
reduced Russian presence in these networks. As a result, Dudayev was able to access previously
established political, social, and economic networks supported by Chechen political elites, many
of whom had been active in Soviet-Chechnya".
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