Bhutto Assassinated

Suicide bomb kills Benazir Bhutto. More questions than answers No peaceful transition to civilian leadership for Pakistan, with the murder of a major popular pro-American secularist.  Questions: 

Jihadis, ISI, or some combination?

Does this unite them against jihadis or just further fragment Pakistan to the jihadis benefit? 

Does the election even go ahead, or is it straight to martial law? Short-term or long-term suspension, and in the event of an election, who rises?

If they buy the “dog Musharraf dog” line, or if it’s true, how bloody will the demonstrations be, and will they lead to a coup? If there’s a coup, who and what ends up on top?

No good answers to any of that yet. I have a very bad feeling about all of this.  The potential for critically destablizing a flank that was difficult enough as it was, is huge. I’d feel slightly better if Rumsfeld had doubled the size of the Army, and wish Bush and Congress would crank that up.  This war is far from over.  This war is no artificial Bush creation or figment of anyone’s imagination, and should still be very much part of our own election, wishful thinking notwithstanding. 

Gateway round up here.

Pajamas roundup here.

Stratfor suspect jihadis with a government assist:

Given the modus operandi, it is likely the work of jihadists linked with the Taliban and/or al Qaeda. This assassination could not have been possible without the jihadists being enabled by elements within the government because both the jihadists and many within the regime fear the possibility of Bhutto‘s party emerging strong in the Jan. 8 polls. This attack further highlights the murky links between Islamist militants and elements within the Pakistani security/intelligence establishment.

Bhutto’s death will trigger a serious backlash in the form of violence and unrest in the country, which could derail the polls, which the opposition is claiming will be rigged by the establishment. The unrest and violence following her death could also lead to the imposition of martial law.

Prior:

Pak It Up, election/emergency background and context re Bhutto, Musharraf etal.  

Pak War

Limits of Usefulness

Pak It In

State of Emergency

Battle for Democracy

BBC Bhutto bio, background links. Harvard-educated. Her father, a former prime minister, was hanged by the military dictator Zia Ul-Haq. She became prime minister in 1988 in free elections after ul-Haq’s death in a suspicious plane crash. In and out of office in the early ’90s when hit with corruption charges, an common tool of ouster in Pakistan.  She finally returned to Pakistan in October after nine years in exile in Dubai, and was greeted by two jihadi bombs that killed more than 100 people but narrowly missed her.  She was prepared to be killed in the process of seeking democratic leadership of Pakistan.   

Topics: GWOT, Pakistan

  Posted by Jules Crittenden at 9:04 am on Thursday, December 27, 2007

30 Responses to “Bhutto Assassinated”

  1. theospark Says:

    Things are about to get real messy. Restarting the draft may be a good start because the Islamic War that we have been ‘playing at’ is going to erupt soon and the west are not prepared for it.

  2. Yankeemom Says:

    [...] Roundup and updates here,  here and here. [...]

  3. Benazir Bhutto Killed in Pakistan : The Sundries Shack Says:

    [...] Instapundit, Jules Crittenden smells Islamists behind this and I don’t see any reason to disagree. I think it’s very likely that the Islamists got [...]

  4. Don Surber » Blog Archive » Bhutto assassinated Says:

    [...] reactions: Left Behind, Jules Crittenden, Human Voices, JammieWearingFool, BitsBlog, CALIFORNIA YANKEE, Donklephant, Scared Monkeys and [...]

  5. JammieWearingFool Says:

    Suicide Bombing at Bhutto Rally; Bhutto Critical?

    This is curious that she reportedly died from a bullet wound, likely meaning the suicide bomber may not have caused the wound and she was shot by someone else.

  6. BobKrumm.com » Pakistan’s Archduke Ferdinand Says:

    [...] Jules Crittenden has a big roundup. [...]

  7. LT Nixon Says:

    With a nation rife with anti-Western youth, nukes, an unstable government, and now this tragic assassination, I don’t know what everyone’s freaking out about.

  8. Jay Reding.com — Benazir Bhutto Assassinated Says:

    [...] Jules Crittenden has more links and insights on the fallout of Bhutto’s assassination. He suspects that this assassination was a collaborative act between al-Qaeda and Taliban linked [...]

  9. tanstaafl Says:

    In and out of office in the early ’90s when hit with corruption charges, an common tool of ouster in Pakistan.

    At the time, as I recall, the bribe taking accusations against Benazir Bhutto and her husband were not considered to be contrived or made up.

    According to press reports, she was outside Pakistan at the time of the conviction on corruption charges and chose not to return to the country.

    Last year, in some US sponsored effort to save Musharraf and stability, she returned to Pakistan, on which day some 140 people at the rally were killed in a probable attempt to kill her then.

    It reminds me of a tactic in use in Lebanon, to assassinate any individual who might establish a government based in cooperation with “the west” and some semblance of democracy.

  10. tanstaafl Says:

    Last year

    Correction, not last year (yet).

    Several months ago.

  11. Daily Pundit » First Thoughts Says:

    [...] Jules Crittenden » Bhutto Assassinated No good answers to any of that yet. I have a very bad feeling about all of this. The potential for [...]

  12. Vanguard of the Commentariat Says:

    Wow, I reckon Krumm says it all: “Pakistan’s Archduke Ferdinand”…

    While the West is smarter than we were in 1914, unfortunately we are not the only player here. Islam has been spoiling for a big fight since, well, pick any historical marker, Six Day War, 72 Olympics, Suez Crisis, creation of Israel, Arab Revolt, Gates of Vienna, etc. Here’s hoping the Western left will come to its senses and either come in on the correct side or shut up and butt the hell out. As Theo alludes, if the draft comes back, they won’t have any choice.

    Much as I hate to say it, a Democrat president might be the best way to go as they seem to be the only ones allowed to wage American war with relative impunity (they are always well meaning liberals who are ‘forced” into it), and that bald fact would drag in a bunch of talent (media, academia, entertainment) that would otherwise be wasted advocating “peace” and wanking about redistributionist domestic policy if the GOP were in charge.

  13. Susan Katz Keating Says:

    Thuis does not portent well.

    http://susankatzkeating.blogspot.com/2007/12/bhutto-assasination-instant-reax.html

  14. Benazir Bhutto, RIP — infotainment rules Says:

    [...] Jules Crittenden asks all the right questions: Jihadis, ISI, or some combination? [...]

  15. Former PM Benazir Bhutto Assassinated in Pakistan « AmeriCAN-DO Attitude Says:

    [...] questions and explains why this is a huge deal in The Long War against Islamic Totalitarianism: Bhutto Assassinated No peaceful transition to civilian leadership for Pakistan, with the murder of a major popular [...]

  16. JM Hanes Says:

    “In and out of office in the early ’90s when hit with corruption charges, an common tool of ouster in Pakistan.”

    tanstaafl: “At the time, as I recall, the bribe taking accusations against Benazir Bhutto and her husband were not considered to be contrived or made up.”

    It’s not so much a matter of fabricated charges, but of a basic Catch 22. In a corrupt system, you can’t reach the upper echelons of government without making & taking bribes along the way, but it leaves you vulnerable to anyone with the muscle to bring charges against you when you get there.

  17. CatHouse Chat Says:

    Bhutto assassinated! (BREAKING)

    Bhutto is dead… and what’s this going to happen in Pakistan? Another state of emergency? UPDATE - Probably the best round up of news at the moment is over at Pajama Media… Although, this story will probably have repercussions over the next several…

  18. tanstaafl Says:

    you can’t reach the upper echelons of government without making & taking bribes along the way, but it leaves you vulnerable to anyone with the muscle to bring charges against you when you get there.

    Benazir Bhutto’s family is/was extremely wealthy and prominent in Pakistan. Her father served as Prime Minister before her (2) terms.

    The bribe taking charges were not substantially disputed by B. Bhutto. She simply never returned to Pakistan until a few months ago.

    I simply rejected the allusion (in the statement I quoted) that she and her husband (another long story, as I recall) were not authentically involved in bribery/corruption in the…early 1990’s ?

  19. JM Hanes Says:

    tanstaafl:

    I didn’t mean to dispute your point on the reality of Bhutto’s malfeasance. I was just commenting on the reason that corruption charges are a “common tool of ouster.” When corruption is endemic, almost everyone is vulnerable to attack on that basis.

  20. The Assassins Got Benazir Bhutto « Wolf Pangloss Says:

    [...] has roundups? Jules Crittendon. Pajamas. [...]

  21. El Cid Says:

    Severe blow to hope for stability

    BBC

    Life in pictures: Benazir Bhutto

    BBC

  22. rightwingsnarkle Says:

    “I’d feel slightly better if Rumsfeld had doubled the size of the Army, and wish Bush and Congress would crank that up.”

    Well, get your flabby ass down to your local recruiters’ office, dude. I’m certain he/she will be very glad to see you.

    While you’re at it, take a dozen of your most beligerent wingnut fans with you. Money talks, bullshit walks.

  23. El Cid Says:

    Ooooooo, another tough one…huh?

    I take by the picture on your slutsite that you are a man..but then one never knows…as big a load of shit that, that picture makes you seem…you may always have to be on the bottom…OR bent over.

  24. MentalFloss Says:

    Disraeli’s words to the effect that “Assassination has never changed the history of the world” will, in a few short weeks or months, be stricken from the lists of “quotables”. (Archduke Ferdinand notwithstanding — the Great War was inevitable, assassination was not the cause — merely the touch of the slowmatch to an already primed cannon)

    This assassination will insert itself more profoundly and more quickly into world affairs than any that came before.

    Whether Bhutto rests in peace or not, I, for one, shall sleep less soundly.

  25. El Cid Says:

    You bugger, you..Floss. You never mentioned that you had a Blog…LOL.

    BTW, I agree with your assessment…(with my peon words) Things could get a TAD sticky and soon.

    BUT….Better NOW, then our children and grand children’s time period. We have lived, ‘they’ are about to begin their journey through life.

  26. Assasinated: Benazir Bhutto | E-Bangladesh Says:

    [...] Jules Crittenden has a round-up trying to find the answer: Who killed Bhutto? [...]

  27. Dave Surls Says:

    Muslims blowing other Muslims up.

    How unusual.

  28. MikeH Says:

    VotC, “Much as I hate to say it, a Democrat president might be the best way to go as they seem to be the only ones allowed to wage American war with relative impunity (they are always well meaning liberals who are ‘forced” into it)…”

    Were they to gain the presidency, given the current state of the party, we would have a reprise of Vietnam for real. The Democratic warriors are being driven out of the party and are only two or three at the most. This cadre of Democratic warriors no longer includes Lieberman who is becoming independent in action as well as political affiliation.

  29. Vanguard of the Commentariat Says:

    Mike, could not agree more. Their best warriors were a university president, a guy in a wheelchair and a hat salesman, all long dead. I’m just saying that the only chief executive who would be given a broad mandate to go to full mobilization and resultant war by the electorate would be a Dem, not because he/she would fight the best fight, but because their motives for fighting would be construed as “pure”. I mean how could a Dem be construed to be colluding with big business? They are on the side of the “little guy”, right?. I know it was a Dem administration who awarded a no-bid contract to Haliburton and I know Dems got half a million “little guys” killed in “their” wars since 1918 (my family chipped in one of them). But its not what you do, its what you say, and I opine that is the sad fact of American politics and America at war.

  30. MikeH Says:

    S’truth VotC, S’truth!

Leave a Reply

Trackback URL

You must be logged in to post a comment.

zoloft long distance running G Postmessage Propecia Smiley Post accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Lipitor Congestion lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Prozac And Men difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Clomid Steroids symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Canine Prednisone Side Effects prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Subaction Showcomments Propecia Optional Watch accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Order Propecia Online lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Penis Growth Pills difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Zoloft Paxil Differences symptoms of zoloft working!

cipro and std treatment,

Female Version Of Viagra prednisone stopped taking side effects;
cough and wheezing with lipitor;
U 3312 Viagra Cialis accutane timeline clomid dosage lutenizing hormone short G Postmessage Cialis Subject Online lipitor drug cost lipitor is there a generic; Accutane Before After difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Subaction Showcomments Cialis Archive Watch symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Alternatives To Zoloft prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Adding Prozac To Drinking Water accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Prozac And Percocet lipitor drug cost lipitor is there a generic; Propecia Baldness difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Prednisone And Mania symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Prednisone 10 Mg prednisone stopped taking side effects;
difference between lexapro and celexa
Subaction Showcomments Cialis Smile Newest accutane timeline clomid dosage lutenizing hormone short Side Effectts Of Cipro lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Zoloft And Lorazepam difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Diuretic Lasix symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Prostatitis And Zithromax

prednisone stopped taking side effects;

cough and wheezing with lipitor; Medication And Prednisone accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Levitra Vs Viagra lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Generic Lexapro difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Query Lowest Cialis Price Online symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Buying Nolvadex prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa G Postmessage Propecia Subject Remember accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Get Off Prozac lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Cialis Vision difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Prednisone 20mg symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Prozac Dose Side Effect prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Is Ultracet Addictive accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Nexium Canada lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Nexium Side Effects difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Cheapest Cialis symptoms of zoloft working!

cipro and std treatment,

Prozac Weight Gain prednisone stopped taking side effects; cough and wheezing with lipitor; Cheap Cialis accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Clomid Side Effects lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Treatment Of Ocd With Zoloft difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Levitra Side Effects symptoms of zoloft working! cipro and std treatment, What Is Prednisone Used For prednisone stopped taking side effects;
difference between lexapro and celexa
Accutane And Results accutane timeline clomid dosage lutenizing hormone short Mexican Rx Cialis Low Price lipitor drug cost lipitor is there a generic; G Postmessage Propecia Smiley Reply difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Purepac Prednisone symptoms of zoloft working!

cipro and std treatment,

Cialis Effect On Women prednisone stopped taking side effects; cough and wheezing with lipitor;
Prednisone Causes Cancer
accutane timeline clomid dosage lutenizing hormone short Accutane Buy Canada Pharmacy lipitor drug cost lipitor is there a generic; Herbal Meds Compatible With Clomid difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Prozac Suicide Class Action Lawsuit symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Prednisone Without Prescription prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Cipro For Uti accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Zoloft Dosage lipitor drug cost lipitor is there a generic; Cipro Rem Sleep difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Lexapro Weight Gain symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Bad Side Effects Of Prednisone prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Esophageal Achalasia Swallowing Difficulties Nexium accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Prednisone Poison Oak lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Cialis Story difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Nexium Cost symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Cheap Generic Cialis prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Canine Prednisone accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Resting Heart Rate Lipitor lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Manufactor Of Prozac difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Prednisone Titration symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Prozac And Weight Gain prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Nexium Rebate accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Zithromax Cost lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Prednisone For Dogs difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Cipro Dose Cat symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Symptoms Of Zoloft prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Alcohol And Zoloft accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Subaction Showcomments Cialis Thanks Newest lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Drug Interaction Prozac Sulfamethoxazol Trimethoprim difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Simcor Vs Lipitor symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Akathisia Zoloft prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Prednisone Homeopathic Replacement accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Zoloft Negative Side Effects lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Prednisone Homopathic Replacement difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Lasix Online symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Cialis Overnight prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Tadalafil Cialis From India accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Subaction Showcomments Cialis Thanks Watch lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Zoloft Generic difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Accutane Long Term Side Effects symptoms of zoloft working! get a prescription for propecia Zoloft Thin Blood prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Multiple Sclerosis Lipitor Bad Reaction accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Clomid Pdr lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Zoloft Akathisias difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Cipro Warnings symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Secret Side Effects Of Zoloft prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Prednisone And Blood Pressure accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! New Drug Cialis lipitor drug cost
prednisone stopped taking side effects;
Subaction Showcomments Propecia Archive Newest difference between lexapro and celexa prednisone menstrual cycle! Side Effects Of Cialis symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Info Levitra prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Buy Lasix Without Prescription accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Cialis For Order lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Buspar Zoloft difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Prednisone Information symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost

Buy Clomid

prednisone stopped taking side effects; cough and wheezing with lipitor; Lipitor Instructions Side Effects accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Cialis Injury Lawyer Ohio lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Zoloft Side Effects difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Weaning Off Prednisone symptoms of zoloft working!

cipro and std treatment,

Prozac Side Affects prednisone stopped taking side effects; cough and wheezing with lipitor; Cialis Faq accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Zoloft With Wellbutrin lipitor drug cost lipitor is there a generic; Lexapro Withdrawal
difference between lexapro and celexa
clomid with triplets Cialis 20mg symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Atavan And Prozac prednisone stopped taking side effects; difference between lexapro and celexa Prozac Long Term Use accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Prednisone Tremors lipitor drug cost prednisone stopped taking side effects; Accutane Attorneys California
difference between lexapro and celexa
clomid with triplets Levitra Medicine symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Lipitor And Muscle Pain prednisone stopped taking side effects;
difference between lexapro and celexa
How Does Cialis Work accutane timeline clomid dosage lutenizing hormone short Stopping Zoloft lipitor drug cost lipitor is there a generic; Side Effects Lexapro difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Prednisone Dogs Shrink Tumor symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost India Viagra Cialis Vicodin prednisone stopped taking side effects;
difference between lexapro and celexa
Buy Cialis In The Uk accutane timeline clomid dosage lutenizing hormone short Cialis Lawyer Ohio lipitor drug cost lipitor is there a generic; Average Dose For Zoloft difference between lexapro and celexa accutane timeline Zoloft Overdose symptoms of zoloft working! lipitor drug cost Snorting Lexapro

prednisone stopped taking side effects;

cough and wheezing with lipitor; Buy Clomid Online accutane timeline symptoms of zoloft working! Atlanta Accutane Law Suits lipitor drug cost