Benazir Bhutto's Tragic Death

December 27, 2007 RSS Feed Print

The assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi today is a terrible tragedy.

Last October I noted, Bhutto's brave words as she returned to Pakistan after a long exile and immediately faced an assassination attempt. Here is an article by Bhutto that appeared in the Wall Street Journal on October 23, and here is an August interview of Bhutto by the Journal’s Bret Stephens.

I gather from those who know more than I do that Bhutto was a flawed public official, but she did have a genuine popular following and did seem to be committed—and willing to risk her life—to democratic governance. She seemed to be the only leader who could put together a democratic government and make a transition from the personal rule of Pervez Musharraf. Whether the elections will proceed as scheduled January 8 seems unclear.

Her death is a reminder that we really do live in a dangerous world. Pakistan is a nuclear power with a military and a secret service that seem laced with supporters of Islamist terrorism. Many Americans would like to go back on holiday from history. But as Leon Trotsky is supposed to have said, “You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.” I suspect that this tragic event will have an effect on the campaign going on so hot and heavy right now in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Tags:
assassinations,
Pakistan,
Benazir Bhutto

Reader Comments Read all comments (10)

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Shaheed motarama benazir bhutto is our leader but she is a whole world of leader if this time shaheed bibi is avail that our countrt is not crises unfurchunitly she is dead but shaheed alway every person in heart .in heart she is sitting for always.

zinda ha zinda ha bibi zinda ha .We are basically belong to the PPP but this time neglate us every manner ( in our area well educated person but they are jobless if bibi was not death in our area youngest whole world persons happyness

Ashfaque Ahmed 1:05AM February 26, 2010

December 27th mark a historical event, as our beloved leader, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto departed from this world. This day is commemorated as a day of democratic victory. One year has passed to her assassination, but she is still attached to our hearts and feelings. Although, there were many threats to her life, but even then, she fought the battle against the corrupted people of our country with courage. She was not only the daughter of the east, but she was the true mother of the nation, who always treated nation as her children, and did many things for the reformation of the people as a mother. She was the intellectual treasure for us. She was the voice of many unheard voices. She never learnt to back out of any thing. She fought till the last breath to show her iron will and determined mission to work for humanity. She was brutally assassinated because of her good will and great thoughts to build our nation stronger. After Lady Diana and Mother Theresa, she is considered as an International icon and role models for many people. We salute her courage, bravery, talent, leadership qualities and her positive motives for our nation.

Mourners still weep inconsolably and beat their chests, because such leaders are born rarely. It was a cowardly act to kill a democratic lady. Loosing such a great women makes us feel as if one of the family members of each of our family has passed away. We must continue her mission with dignified morals.

May her soul rest in eternal peace

Munir Moosa Sewani ( Karachi , Pakistan )

Scholar, Teacher, Teacher Educator, Professional Writer

Munir Moosa Sewani 4:36PM December 27, 2008

hi jawad i agree with u bout everyfin, plz dnt mind buh i reli fink dat u r reli reli cute nd i wanted 2 ask u whether i can have ur email addy!!!!!!!

i am also from england buh i live in hounslow!!!!!!

lolz

miss u bye honey!!!!!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

P.S ur da BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S.S and us 2 r also so similar cus even i woz watchin geo news here lolz bye

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx :)

jawads khan's no.1 fan!!! :D of 10:31AM June 16, 2008

Michael Barone

Michael Barone

U.S. News Weekly

Subscribe Today

Order the new U.S. News Weekly digital magazine at a special low introductory price!

Michael Barone is a senior writer for U.S.News & World Report and principal coauthor of The Almanac of American Politics. He has written for many publications—including the Economist and the New York Times.

Thomas Jefferson Street Blog

May Unemployment Rate Dooms Barack Obama

With unemployment now at 8.2 percent, Mitt Romney is poised to gain ground with voters.

Planned Parenthood Pulls a Komen on Mitt Romney

Planned Parenthood successfully targeted the Susan G. Komen Foundation and is now getting political by campaigning against Mitt Romney.

Bill Clinton Undercuts Barack Obama in Wisconsin

Former President Bill Clinton is campaigning for Democrats across the country, disregarding Obama's campaign strategies.

Barack Obama Doesn’t Get a Pass on Poland Gaffe

The president's error and half-hearted apology is a serious diplomatic mistake.

Mitt Romney's Ridiculous Unemployment Reaction

Romney's dramatic reaction to the May jobs report makes him look false and calculating.

What John Edwards Tells Us About the Legal Profession

The legal profession is experiencing a very serious breakdown of ethics.

What the GOP Should Do if Obamacare Falls

If Obamacare is struck down by the Supreme Court, the Democrats are responsible for proposing another plan.

Barack Obama and George Bush Show Congress How to Act Like Adults

Obama and Bush are capable of acting like adults. Why isn't Congress?