Profile of a Terrorist Group Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Profile of a Terrorist Group - Essay Example In the past, specifically during World War II, Chechens were forcibly removed from the region by the then Soviet leader Stalin. He accused them of cooperating with Germany’s Nazi regime, and this led to the death of tens of thousands, as many more fled for their lives. They only came back after Stalin’s death (Crenshaw, 2010). Terrorist category It is the belief of many that this group of extremists is a separatist movement, forged on ethnic lines. The minority Muslim community, that has been a part of the mountainous region in Russia, believes it is their right to lead themselves, and be free from Russia’s rule. After the Soviet collapse, there was the creation of Russian Federation Republic of Chechnya. It advocated for the independence of Chechnya through a movement famously known as Chechen All-National Congress, which made it impossible for the Russian government to take control of the region (Schaefer, 2010). In a war that lasted two years (1994-1996), this group fought the Russian government. Failure by the government to take control of the terrain led to the region being accorded de facto independence. In 1996, Russia called for a ceasefire, which prompted leaders of the separatist movement to sign a peace treaty that took effect the following year. Chechen militants had led the fight for emancipation, which allowed local movements to also plea their causes for separation from the Russian law. Militants engaged Russian authorities as they helped these local movements make a stand against the government, which led to the Second Chechen War (Tiersky & Jones, 2007). Goals of the group The goals/aims of the group were to create an independent state from Russian government/law, which would make them autonomous in their decision making and livelihood. Their means of achieving this autonomy came at a price as many Chechens died in the first and second wars, leaving tons more displaced. Emancipation being the central reason for their moveme nt, they have led attacks into Russia and other areas, which they feel that need to be emancipated from Russia’s laws. This group’s goals and aims have seen this group receive de facto independence for a short period, but this may not be the lasting solution the group is demanding (Schaefer, 2010). Support the group receives The media portrays the groups’ efforts without any bias. However, as with any war, there are some sympathizers. This is what propels the group to become relentless in their quest. Once the media relays different messages from the group to the public about its demands, wishes, and desires, it is next to impossible to predict the response that they may receive. Opponents and the government think that this is a means to attain the attention of the public to seek support in the group’s fruitless quest, which is to alienate their region from the rest of Russia. To most, this is a treacherous attempt that should be erased from the groupâ₠¬â„¢s minds. Sympathizers, mostly from the Muslim ethnic minority group think that calls for separation are long overdue, and that their actions are justified (Tiersky & Jones, 2010). The leadership, funding and capabilities of the group It is crucial for such a movement to have a stable and constant leadership figure. Since the group’s inception, four known leaders have led the separatist movement. The first was Khasan Israilov, followed by Samil Basayev, and the latest victim who died under mysterious circumstances was Abu Hafs as-Urdani. July

Beethoven Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Beethoven - Research Paper Example Whereas he remains one of the most well recognized and famous classical composers, scholars still debate what the ultimate cause of Beethoven’s hearing loss might have been. Beethoven himself described its onset as a troublesome ringing in his ears. Medical professionals at that time as well as today believe that the condition could have been brought on by an acute illness that he suffered during early adulthood. Whatever the cause, Beethoven began to experience a noticeable level of hearing loss by the age of 26. Scholars are aware of this due to the fact that it was at this age that Beethoven first mentioned that the hearing loss was troubling him in his correspondence to friends and family. As one might expect, for someone as passionate about music as was Beethoven, such a loss was tantamount to complete and total defeat and desolation. Within his own correspondence it was noted that he even experienced suicidal thoughts at times due to the fact that the hearing loss was af fecting his ability to maintain a positive and optimistic attitude. As such, bouts of severe depression ensued by which Beethoven contemplated ending his life. However, the hearing loss was gradual and Beethoven was not aware at any one particular point during the hearing loss process that he would ultimately be entirely and completely deaf.... lthough a definitive date does not exist by which Beethoven completely and entirely could be considered deaf, it is widely reported that the first time he experienced complete and total deafness was at the premier of the 9th symphony; arguably his magnum opus. At this time, Beethoven reportedly went out on the stage at the conclusion of the symphony and was greeted by rapturous applause. However, due to the fact that he could not hear this, he felt initially that his work was a commercial and professional failure and began to cry heavily.1 Even this debacle and embarrassment was not enough to discourage Beethoven from performing publically. Several public performances with Beethoven as a featured musician took place following the debacle of the 9th Symphony. However, during the performance of the Piano Concerto No. 5, Beethoven was forced to allow his student Carl Czerny to perform as he could no longer hear the music or the beat and keep time with the other musicians. Though it is t rue that Beethoven was not completely and entirely deaf at this stage, he was unable to hear certain pitches of music and could only hear the very lowest bass notes. Recent scholarship into Beethoven’s music after the year 1814 notes the fact that his loss of hearing helped to alter the music after this period of time as compared to the music composed before it. What is meant by this is that the music prior to 1814 included something of an equal composition of both high pitches and low pitches within the score. Although it is true that there remain a profound number of high pitches within Beethoven’s music post 1814 (or after the time in which acute hearing loss profoundly impacted upon the way in which he composed music), it can be readily noted that as a direct result of his hearing