Insurgency Success Factors and Rebel Legitimacy
forces to control Chechnya. Kadyrov, under Russian control, harnessed governance in Chechnya,
and the obtained the official role of mobilizing resources, programs and services 308. Chechen
citizens no longer looked to rebel leaders for control, governance, or services, as they were no
longer able to provide them.
The insertion of Kadyrov into leader of President in Chechnya also presented challenges
to international perceptions of the rebel legitimacy. Kadyrov's provided an official, legitimate
point of contact in Chechnya, through which assistance, diplomacy, and resources could be
organized. By 2002, the rebellion had lost its platform, leverage, and capacity to receive and
mobilize such resources in Chechnya 309. As a result, it also lost its access to legitimate means of
foreign assistance, resources, and networks to provide political and material support to civilians.
Control of Propaganda, Media and Messaging
In 1991, the declaration of Chechen independence was in local, national, and
international news outlets. Initial reports of independence had highly legitimating effects on the
movement. Reports on Chechen independence made international news, putting Chechnya and
its movement on the international radar³10. Stories painted by Russian academics and foreign
journalists were largely pro-Chechen independence, effectively influencing opinions abroad 311.
The largely pro-Chechen representations awarded a sense of legitimacy to the Chechen cause,
where the Chechen people were seen as victims of Soviet oppression who deserved to be freed.
The Chechen Republic of Ichkeria's messaging mainly targeted the Chechen population
and Russia³12. Propaganda for an independent Chechen state was highly effective in mobilizing
Chechen popular support for independence, combining an effective mix of ethnic nationalism,
secular Islam, and lingering sentiments of victimization from the Soviet state. This form of
messaging was successful in connecting with injustices felt among the populations and the hope
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