Once again, Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev (Intel Report) has felt the need to espouse and justify his conduct and activities in the wake of a string of attacks in Russia and Chechnya at the end of the summer (Terrorist Incident, Terrorist Incident, and Terrorist Incident). The international outrage after the Beslan school attack (Terrorist Incident), for which Basayev claimed responsibility made many wonder if he had gone too far, resulting in a loss of any sympathy for his cause and bringing down the wrath of Russia upon him. Certainly, Basayev does not seem concerned with these issues. His own life history and loss of family may help explain some his willingness to inflict civilian casualties, to include children. Please see the Intel Report on Shamil Basayev for a further discussion of this issue and the Intel Report on the transformation of the Chechen Rebel (Group Profile) movement.

Incurring the wrath of Russia seems to be a ploy to drag Russia further into the regional conflict, to use excessive force that justifies the Chechen complaint that it is Russia that uses brutal practices, and to allow for Chechen rebels to adopt extreme measures and keep their cause on a world stage. They have used this strategy before when Basayev and foreign guerrilla leader Khattab coordinated a raid into Dagestan that ultimately re-ignited the Chechen conflict and allowed Russia an excuse to send troops into the region, a move that earned Russia a negative reputation for their brutal tactics. It is a risky strategy that could easily backfire, and the Beslan school massacre would, at first glance, seem to indicate that.