Despite the many differences we have with Russia over Iran, the fact remains that they are a key ally in the War on Terror. The reason Russia supports the Iranian nuclear program is it is because it is in their national interest to do so--they are the ones that sold Iran their reactors. The Russians might be induced to support our policy of Iranian containment if we were more vocal in our support of Russia's fight against the jihadis in Chechnya. Our criticism of the harsh tactics used by Russia in that fight is a major source of tensin between the two countries.

MosNews:

An al Qaeda member known as Abu Dzeit has been killed in the Russian internal republic of Ingushetia, Russian authorities said Monday.

“A joint operation with the Interior Ministry was conducted in a private house in a village in Ingushetia on February 16,” spokesman for the Federal Security Service Sergei Ignatchenko told reporters on Monday.

“The operation first resulted in the death of two of his accomplices. Abu Dzeit hid in a special bunker built under the house. When the entrance was discovered, he blew himself up,” Ignatchenko said.

He said investigators identified the body as Abu DzeitÂ’s.

A source in the FSB, RussiaÂ’s domestic security service, told RIA-Novosti that Abu Dzeit, eliminated in Ingushetia, was the leader of the so-called Ingush Jamaat and an emissary of the international terror network al Qaeda. He was also known as little Omar, and Abu Omar of Kuwait.

Abu Dzeit reported directly to Abu Havs, a purported coordinator of all terrorist activities on Russian territory, a source said. Abu Dzeit had received special training in al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan. Later he was appointed al QaedaÂ’s envoy to Ingushetia.

He was in charge of distributing cash funds provided by al Qaeda to radical Islamists in the Northern Caucasus.

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In a video interview, Shamil Basayev claims that the Beslan massacre was a mistake. No, not like you think. He was hoping his terrorist followers would be able to take two schools full of children hostage. Oh, and yes, he probably will be forced to massacre more school children in the future. But it's not his fault. It's the Russians fault.

Russia, for their part, has asked the British TV station Channel 4 to refrain from broadcasting the video.

In related news, rumors have begun circulating that Basayev is dead. No tears shed here if true. A web-site linked to the Chechen terrorists has also called for a cease-fire, bolstering claims of the terrorist chief's death.

And what does the MSM call the man?

Australia's ABC News calls the man a Chechen warlord. The Canadian Globe and Mail calls him a Chechen leader.

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The reformist Prime Minister of Georgia, Zurab Zhvania, has been found dead. Media sources indicate that the 44 year old's death was likely due to a gas leak at a friend's home. Russia has denied any involvement in the Prime Minister's death. more...

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