As Chechnya's second war with Russia limps into its fourth year with no sign of stopping, tens of thousands are dead and more than a million homeless. Moscow no longer recognizes Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov, and a pro-Russia leadership, headed by Akhmad Kadyrov, is in place.

Russia claims military control over the region, saying the military phase of its operation to track down terrorists is complete. Violence continues unabated, however, as Chechen separatists react to Russian attempts to bring order to the province. In an effort to create a law-abiding province, Russian troops — who have faced international criticism for human rights abuses throughout the conflict — routinely sweep Chechen villages for suspected rebels.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that, "the brutality of these 'cleansing' operations has undermined Kadyrov's authority and alienated many Chechens from his pro-Moscow administration."

Maskhadov is still considered the Chechen separatists' leader, although he is widely believed to be losing power. Since his election in 1997, he has waged repeated power struggles with rival warlords who believe in more violent tactics for winning Chechnya its independence. In a move seen as diluting his power even further, Maskhadov appointed these rival commanders to government positions in the summer of 2002.

To escape continued fighting between Russian troops and Chechen rebels in a war that has killed mostly civilians, mass numbers of Chechen residents have sought refuge in camps outside Grozny, with large numbers flocking to neighboring Ingushetia. Unemployment in the region is estimated at 60 percent, and according to the Wall Street Journal, one in ten Chechens lives in extreme poverty, on $21.79 or less per month. Experts have said these factors threaten to keep the region locked in a cycle of violence.