He added, however, that Islamist groups in the region had a complex view of America.

On the one hand they see the US as hostile toward Islam, while on the other they enjoy the tensions between Russia, their enemy, and the US. Thus, concludes Course, “they are unsure on how to digest this event.”

Another point, he added, is that the attack could unite Russia and the US against Chechen fighters – and this is something they do not want.

Yuri Teper, a doctoral candidate at Bar-Ilan and an expert on nationalism and politics in modern Russia, told the Post that the trend toward Salafist Islam has been gaining in Chechnya.

“These brothers are as American as the terrorist who killed the Jewish family in France was French. They might not even be a part of any organized group, but individuals inspired by radical Islamist rhetoric,” said Teper.