Terrorism has been perpetrated at various times in history, to spread fear, destabilize existing regimes and acquire political power. Since the fall of the USSR, Russia has frequently been a target of terrorism and plays a critical role in any effective global strategy to confront it. Since 2001 the Russian government has sought to cooperate with Western powers and all other nations for repressing terrorism while asking for their support against the Chechen rebels. The response from NATO members has been ambiguous despite the help provided by the Kremlin to the Western alliance in theatres such as Afghanistan and Central Asia.
