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Terrorism in Russia?

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photoTwo planes in Russia crashed on Tuesday just minutes apart. Initially, the Russian government downplayed the likelihood of terrorism. That changed today as a high-level Putin official said that terrorism is the most likely cause of the catastrophe.

Russian media are talking about "Russia's 9/11". As of yet, no evidence has been found to confirm suspicions of a terrorist attack and Chechen rebel leadership has denied separatist involvement. But even without hard evidence or claim of responsibility, some are already speculating that the upcoming presidential election in Chechnya is the reason for the attacks.

Tune in to hear more about the two plane crashes, the possibility of a Russian 9/11, and what it means if terrorists are to blame.

Guests:

Peter Baker, foreign correspondent, The Washington Post

Sarah Mendelson, senior fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Fiona Hill, senior fellow in foreign policy studies, The Brookings Institution and co-author of "The Siberian Curse: How Communist Planners Left Russia Out in the Cold."

This program aired on August 26, 2004.

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