The notion that the Chechen-led jihad in the North Caucasus is an indigenous affair, far removed from the global Islamist jihad, is perhaps comforting to Americans and other Westerners, but it is a myth. Moreover, the North Caucasus jihad may be the harbinger of a much larger Muslim challenge to Russia"s political stability and state integrity. So concludes Gordon M. Hahn in this meticulously researched analysis of Russia"s emerging Islamic threat. Hahn draws an explicit picture of an already sophisticated and effective Chechen jihadist network that is expanding the territorial scope of its operations with inspiration and some assistance from the global jihadist movement. Given its proximity to large stockpiles of diverse weapons, the expanding population of Russian-based Islamist terrorists is a particular cause for alarm, the author warns. The book lifts the veil on the Muslim challenge to Russia"s political stability, national security, and state integrity, as well as the...