Alex Soifer, professor, Interdepartmental Studies, was recently recognized by the United States Air Force Academy for his efforts to screen the film \u201cThe Moscow Siege\u201d for cadets, faculty and guests Oct. 27.<\/p>\n
The film depicts in graphic detail the four-day October 2002 ordeal of patrons trapped inside Moscow\u2019s Nord-Ost Theater when it was stormed by Chechen separatists. The siege ended when a nerve gas was piped into the theater, incapacitating the terrorists and allowing Russian commandos to enter and shoot them. The terrorists, as well as more than 100 hostages, died.<\/p>\n
The film supplemented the USAFA\u2019s Social Science 412 course and members of the Slavic Studies Club also attended. Soifer secured permission from the film\u2019s London-based producers for the screening and added personal commentary for the cadets.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think cadets who attended the film viewing came away with a deeper understanding of the complexities of ethnic conflict,\u201d Lt. Col. Jennifer Alexander said in a USAFA press release. \u201cSeveral cadets mentioned they didn\u2019t realize the extent of the damage inflicted in Chechnya by the Russians. They saw the possibility that the Chechens were not just terrorists but also victims.\u201d<\/p>\n
To see the complete version of the USAFA announcement, visit http:\/\/www.usafa.af.mil\/news\/story.asp?id=123278832<\/a>.<\/p>\n To see an account of the siege, visit http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DkxRdSZzeGc<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"