SAM Magazine--February 22, 2011--Last Friday night, masked gunmen shot and killed three tourists on their way to Mt. Elbrus ski resort in the Caucasus region. In addition, a gondola at the resort was blown up.

According to published reports, last month President Dmitry Medvedev announced a $15 billion plan to turn the Caucasus into a tourist destination, which did not sit well with Islamist rebels who have been demanding a separate Islamic state in the North Caucasus.

Russia is set to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in nearby Sochi.