Layer by layer, Grozny: Nine Cities reveals the complex life of the Chechen capital. Nearly 300,000 lives were destroyed in the two recent wars. Moscow vowed to rebuild this devastated society and win over Chechen civilians, but loyalty to the Kremlin and Chechnya's oil now seem to be its only concerns. And with Russian tanks off its streets, Russian nationals are isolated. Chechen suicide bombers attack public places and Chechen police detain civilians for their involvement with the radical Islamic underground. New mosques emerge. Men proud of their black BMWs, assault rifles and pointy, black shoes ban the appearance of unveiled women in public places.
