Some more sources

An interesting article on gender and conflict I read was by Mary Caprioli "Gender, Violence, and International Crisis" Journal of Conflict Resolution, Vol. 45, No. 4, 503-518 (2001).

She discusses notions of masculinity and femininity on the international level and does a study to conclude that the more gender equality there is in a nation the less severe violence in a conflict will be. The indicators she uses for gender equality, such as fertility rates, have a very strong correlation with developing countries, so although her resulkts are interesting I am not entirely convinced, although it does seem as though developed countries tend to have higher levels of gender equality they also have a lower incidence of armed conflict.

She quotes Sharpiro Page in her article which I found to be a little humourous: ‘In practically all realms of foreign and domestic policy, women are less belligerent than men.’

Another article I have read on Chechen grievances and how legitimate the claim to independence was is my Michael Bowter entitled "Russia and Chechnya: The issue of secession. Nations and Nationalism 10 (4), 2004, 461–478.

Bowter argues that liberals tend to be muddled about a stance on independence struggles, having compassion for the minorities but also fearing the consequences of the war that may ensure.