Russian experience in fighting terrorism shows that the elimination of charismatic leaders like Osama bin Laden does not necessarily end the deadly threat posed by the terrorist groups they led.

Ethnic violence continues to afflict the Russian Federation, demonstrating the clear need for a modern, post-Soviet civic identity that can embrace different ethnic and religious groups.

Moscow's position on military intervention in Libya plays into Russia's foreign policy focus on modernization and cooperation with Western Europe and the United States and is likely to be a factor in the upcoming 2012 presidential elections.