War, Loss, and Violence: Expert to Speak on Chechen Refugees at Angelo State

SAN ANGELO, TX - Angelo State University's Slavic Enrichment Program will host a presentation by Dr. Michael Dennis, associate professor of practice in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the ASU Academic Building, 2502 Dena Drive.

Titled "War Unending: Life, Loss, and the Politics of Violence Among Chechen Refugees," the presentation will begin at 6 p.m. in Room 135 of the Academic Building and is free and open to the public.

During his presentation, Dennis will share findings from his unique research exploring the lived experiences of Chechen refugees and the conditions under which they endorse or reject insurgent violence. He will also share findings on their attitudinal support for Chechen foreign fighters (in Syria and Ukraine) and discuss his current research examining how the war in Ukraine, where Chechens are fighting on both sides, is influencing political dynamics in the Chechen diaspora and driving renewed calls for Chechen separation from Russia. 

A leading expert on Chechnya, the Russo-Chechen Wars and Chechen foreign fighters, Dennis spent over four years living with Chechen rebels in villages along the Chechen border in the Republic of Georgia, as well as in displaced Chechen communities in Azerbaijan, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Turkey. During the second Russo-Chechen War (1999-2009), he served as a volunteer aid worker with the International Rescue Committee helping rebuild water, sanitation and education infrastructure in Chechnya. From 2004-11, he was co-director of the Chechnya Advocacy Network.

A former Fulbright Scholar, Dennis' research has been published in the Security Studies journal and referenced in the Foreign Affairs journal, and he is currently working on an academic book. He holds a doctorate in government from the University of Texas.

Dennis' ASU presentation is sponsored by the Natalie Zan Ryan Department of English and Modern Languages and the ASU Slavic Club (formerly the ASU Russian Club). ASU's Slavic Enrichment Program hosts guest speakers and other presentations during each academic year to encourage the study of Slavic languages and culture.