Two issues—military reform and interethnic relations in the Russian Federation—seem to have grabbed the most public attention since the Soviet collapse. They have had a big impact on Russia’s public and political life over the last twenty years, and affect the foundations for the country’s future development.

In 2010, the overall security situation in the North Caucasus was worse than in 2009, although statistics show an improvement in Chechnya and Ingushetia.