After his death the Times of London published that Arbi Barayev was “perhaps the worst example of a generation of young men who grew up into a world of crime in Chechnya.”
Barayev came of age during a time of great political turmoil. The Soviet Union collapsed. Russia and Chechnya engaged in a brutal war that ran from 1994-96. That war was followed by a second catastrophic war beginning in 1999. Barayev’s world was chaotic and violent and he played his role in making it chaotic and violent.
In 1996 during the interwar period Barayev organized and presided over the Special Purpose Islamic Regiment (SPIR). The Stanford University Center for International Security and Cooperation described SPIR as a radical Sunni militant organization that “sought to use its Islamic connections and militant tactics to liberate Chechnya from Russian authority and establish an Islamic caliphate encompassing the North Caucasus, parts of Azerbaijan, and Abkhazia in Georgia.”
Barayev and SPIR had connections to Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden. Barayev’s SPIR according to the Center for Defense Information was “regarded as one of the main hostage-taking, kidnapping, and oil-smuggling groups operating in Chechnya.” He boasted about personally killing people and was involved in many acts of violence, which earned him the nickname of Terminator.
Perhaps his most internationally known act of terrorism came in 1998 when 4 international tele-com workers were beheaded. The foreign nationals from Great Britain and New Zealand were kidnapped and ransom negotiations were ongoing when Barayev received a more lucrative offer to have them killed. Barayev had been negotiating for a $10 million ransom but according to the BBC “Barayev told associates the atrocity was part of a jihad and that he would received $30m from his "Arab friends". Once it became more lucrative to kill the men their fate was sealed.
Barayev’s downfall came after he was involved in the murder of the Mayor of Gehki on June 16, 2001. In the aftermath of this murder Russian special forces attacked the village of Alkhan-Kala where a 6 day battle resulted in several casualties on both sides. Among those killed was Arbi Barayev.
Control of SPIR fell to his nephew Movsar Barayev, who led the group until his death in the Moscow Dubrovka Theater attack on October 23, 2002.
Arbi lived a violent life where he ruled by force and coercion. He killed and was ultimately killed in what he called “big politics.” Rossiyskaya Gazetta described Barayev after his death as “a simple bandit who thought only of money and personal gain.” His short reign as a violent warlord came to a violent end with his death on June 22, 2001.
Great literature should do more than entertain us. It should provide a roadmap to improving our lives.
In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens introduced readers to Sydney Carton, one of literature's most compelling and deeply flawed characters. Dickens also gives him an unusual title: the Jackal.
His struggles raise questions that remain relevant today.
Are we defined by our past mistakes? Can we overcome our weaknesses? What separates the people we are from the people we could become?
Lessons From the Jackal is a 25-day character study exploring these questions through Sydney Carton’s life, decisions, relationships, and personal development.
This is not a traditional course on A Tale of Two Cities. Our reading assignments will focus specifically on Carton, with sufficient background provided to understand his story. No previous knowledge of the novel is necessary.
Each day will feature selected readings, historical comparisons, reflection questions, discussions, and practical challenges ...
Sydney Carton is intelligent, capable, compassionate, self-destructive, and deeply dissatisfied with his life.
His potential is evident, but his accomplishments are limited. His habits are troubling, but his character contains admirable qualities. His reputation is unfavorable, but Lucie recognizes something in him that others have overlooked.
Perhaps the greatest mistake we can make when judging another person is to assume that who they are today represents everything they are capable of becoming. Yet there is an equally dangerous mistake: assuming that possessing the potential for greatness is equivalent to achieving it. Potential without action remains unrealized. Character without conviction may fail when tested. Reputation without substance is little more than appearance.
The challenge is not simply to possess admirable qualities or to be regarded favorably by others. It is to develop the discipline, courage, and integrity necessary to become the person we are capable of being. When ...
