Who finds intrigue in the 19th Century Colonial Wars or Spanish Civil War? They are interesting and popular periods to wargame. Part of that attraction is due to several factors of fascination:

1. an "UNDERDOG" or a mismatch between irregular forces (often natives, Rebels or "freedom fighters") and technologically superior regulars,
2. VARIETY, a diverse intermingling of different weapons, troop types, and especially cultures; and finally the political intrigue of
3. WARRING FACTIONS, (a big SCW draw) unsteady partnerships and shaky alliances between groups supposedly on the same side.

We needn't go back 50 - 100 years to find these ingredients, we only need to look in TODAY'S paper (makes me wonder what those few "wargamers" thought of Franco in 1936?).

The Chechnyan war is a GREAT example for these recent "tactical high intensity" scenarios... Lots of good political ploys, assasinations (like the Russian CinC for the Theater!!!) abductions, warring Factions [kinda like SCW even], several Russian failed offensives, special forces missions to abduct political leaders (hello! Somalia?), encircled elite troops, former Soviet Army Chechnyans vs former Soviet Army, limited political ability to react, Generals refusing to attack the City, on and on it goes!! This is the stuff GREAT BATTLES are made of, the stuff Great Wargames are made of too!! (Not to mention Campaign potential).