The Assassination of Bhutto
A quick note on the assassination of Benazir Bhutto: the major difference between this and other similar suicide bombing atrocities is that she was explicitly shot before the suicide bombing. Whoever was behind this act wanted to ensure that everyone knew that Bhutto was the primary target.
The difference here is that a “regular” suicide bombing is the act of an emotionally charged zealot who is seeking to please his or her god. As horrible as this is it is an understood if not accepted part of life in some parts of the Middle East. I don’t aim to offend anyone but the case is that people in the Middle East understand the impetus behind suicide bombing as both a military tactic and an act of faith in a way that those of us in the West cannot.
With Bhutto being shot before the suicide bomber blew himself up there was a specific, precise target. The action went from one of passion to one that was intended to produce a political response.
The assassin destroyed the hope for a democratic change and targeted the spirit of the people. That’s what’s different this time.
Sphere It