Do Assassinations Ever Yield Positive Results?

[Adam's Apple]

Do Tragic Assassinations Ever Yield Unexpectedly Positive Results?
By Gil Troy, History News Network
December 27, 2007

Looking at the heartbreaking images beaming out of Pakistan today, this assassination’s negative consequences are clear. Benzair Bhutto’s death all but guarantees more unrest, euphoria among her violent, Islamist opponents, and a blow to Pakistan’s already fragile democracy. Bhutto’s assassination shows how deeply the culture of violence permeates and distorts so many polities in the Islamic world. Who knows? Perhaps this act of violence will be the wake-up call Pakistanis – and Muslims throughout the world - need to demand a reformation of Islam and expel from their midst the Jihadists and that murderous medieval spirit of Jihadism which is proving so dangerous.

for full article:
http://www.hnn.us/blogs/68.html#45909

 

[MasterChief]

Do Tragic Assassinations Ever Yield Unexpectedly Positive Results?

It all depends on who is assassinated and what are the particular circumstances surrounding the person assassinated. For example, we--that is the people of the United States--assassinated Admiral Yamamoto and that had a very positive effect in our war efforts against Japan. We were at war, Admiral Yamamoto had unique insight into American military and culture, and he was critical to planning the overall Japanese war effort against us. On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln's assassination had very negative consequences for the southern states and a majority of southerner's knew it which is why many condemned JWB actions. The war was all but over, Lincoln wanted to quickly return the south to a productive part of the Union, and he was critical in seeking an amnesty program for confederate leadership.

On what happened in Pakistan, it is still too early to tell. If it becomes clear that Al-Qaeda was behind this, and people of Pakistan and the ISI finally turn on the Taliban and Al-Qaeda and throw'em on the dung heap of history...then yes, it is positive. But if it comes out that the ISI was behind this and Pakistan dissolves into chaos, then no. So it all depends.

Living history is never nice and neat, and presented tied up with pretty bow. It is ugly, messy and often has lots of loose ends. The best we can hope for is to ride the wave and not get crushed by events beyond our control.