I know we have discussed at length and it may just be your style but you still appear to be agreeing with what Russia has said.
Alexa,
I am only stating that Russia appears to be on a path to react as I thought it would. With Prime Minister Putin retaining significant, perhaps dominant influence, and recent past history in perspective, the Russian response is fairly predictable.
Whether or not that response is appropriate (and a very firm approach can be appropriate) will depend on how it is pursued. At this time, I am in no position to comment on its upcoming response, as the details have yet to be provided.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that Russia, like any other state, has an inherent right of self-defense. At the same time, like any other state, it also has obligations e.g., those set forth in the instruments that comprise the Laws of War, among others.
IMO, the Moscow terrorist attacks, for which Doku Umarov claimed credit, not only constituted an unacceptable deliberate attack on civilians, but they have also damaged prospects for the kind of liberalization that could benefit Russians and residents in Russia's Caucasus region alike. It is difficult to envision how the attacks, especially if they provoke a harsh response (even if that response is confined to what is permissible under the Laws of War, etc.), benefit Chechens in significant way.
I continue to believe that a political dimension that accommodates the core needs of the Chechen people (greater autonomy/improved human rights) and core needs of Russia (territorial integrity/vital interests in the Caucasus) would be beneficial. I hope that even as emotions run high in the wake of the unjustifiable terrorist attacks, Russia won't entirely abort its nascent liberalization campaign. Not all components of such a campaign are incompatible with a robust counterterrorism strategy.
Unfortunately, terrorists such as Mr. Umarov and their organizations, who choose to deliberately attack civilians with reasonable knowledge of the consequences, hinder such prospects of liberalization. In effect, not only are such persons and groups enemies of Russia, they are just as much enemies of the peoples whom they purportedly claim to represent.
Russia should...follow proper methods to bring the people who did this to justice - not take it out on the entire populace of Chechyna...
I agree. The crimes against humanity/war crimes carried out by the terrorists do not grant others license to act in a fashion that would similarly be unlawful e.g., inconsistent with the Laws of War, etc. They do not justify wholesale oppression.
In the end, Russia's fight against terrorism is with various terrorist entities. It is not with the Chechen people or any other people per se. The upcoming counterterrorism response would do well to reflect that reality.