The assassination last week of Mr. Akhmad Kadyrov is a reminder of the festering sore that is Chechnya. Moscow's hopes of pacifying the restive republic have been laid to rest with the slain president. Russian President Vladimir Putin now faces difficult choices: Find a suitable local figure that both he and the Chechen people trust, or rule from Moscow. Much more than Mr. Putin's credibility rests on the outcome. Chechnya is a hotbed of Islamic militancy. Unchecked, the region could be a breeding ground for terrorists throughout the region and beyond.
Mr. Kadyrov was elected president last year in a vote that was widely considered tainted by charges of fraud. He was a former Muslim cleric -- he served as Chechnya's chief mufti, or Islamic leader -- who fought against the Russians during the first Chechen war in 1994-96. He grew disillusioned with the increasing influence of the Wahhabi sect over the province's leaders during the brief period of Chechen autonomy that ended in 1999 when the Russians invaded again. Then, Mr. Kadyrov sided with the Russians, winning the trust of Mr. Putin, who selected him to head the pro-Moscow government until he won election last year.
Mr. Kadyrov walked a fine line, balancing Chechen nationalism with the requisite support for Moscow. He ruled with an iron fist; his security forces have been accused of disappearances and brutality. He made many enemies. In December 2002, his headquarters was destroyed by two car bombs; 72 people were killed but he was not present. Six months later, another suicide bomber tried to kill him at a village religious festival. He did not announce the location of his inauguration until 40 minutes before the ceremony to prevent similar attacks.