This changes nothing.
However the elections were to shake out the Army was going to run the show, wheher directly or through its newly retired commander.
If anything, this gives Musharraff an opportunity to smack the fundamentalists/AQ/Taliban around a little to show how outraged he is at this attack on democracy and to try to come off as sort of a hero to the West.
However, he won't smack hard enough to wipe out these factions because that would mean that the whole reason for his best friend status would be gone.
I am so depressed about this right now. Bhutto may not have been the perfect leader, but she undeniably laid her life on the line for her country. She could have stayed safe in the West, made a comfortable living doing the lecture circuit and giving interviews for the rest of her life. But instead she's dead, and a moderate pro-Western voice has been silenced.
And yes, the aftermath will be horrific. Remember when Indira Gandhi was assassinated? Bloodbath doesn't begin to describe it.
This strengthens Musharraf, no? (Which makes one wonder who ordered the dastardly act.) The truth is, it's horrible but hardly terrifying that the status quo remain in place. Musharraf will announce a state of emergency, there will be a couple of atrocities and riots, but then all will quiet down and then a few months later we'll be looking back on this with insipid context articles.
Posted at 2007-12-27 09:30:43 [PermaLink]Depending on the reaction from Pervez, this may be a huge tactical error by AQ. Pakistan was the main source for foreign Jihadis in Afganistan, and Iraq, as they were mostly left alone to plan and make bombs. If Musharraf makes a show of attacking them, this becomes another front in the war, and they will be forced to stay home to defend themselves
Posted at 2007-12-27 10:02:53 [PermaLink]This may be significant (being planned for some time now):
"U.S. Troops to Head to Pakistan"
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Mark
Ottawa
Whoever is ultimately named as responsible for this heinous act, one thing is certain, that it is a victory for the forces of the Taleban, and their extremist islamic ilk.
It is a safe prediction that we now live in a world in which no educated, strong and independent woman will ever again vie for high political office in a Muslim state.
"it is a victory for the forces of the Taleban, and their extremist islamic ilk."
What turned the Sunnis against Ilk-aeda in Iraq is all the killing. Murdering Bhutto will likely have the same effect in Pakistan. Aside from 9/11, Ilk-aeda has been far more successful at producing Shahids than killing infidels -- even in the Ummah.
Bhutto was undeniably brave, but let's not forget all those people who came out to support her at the rally. They had to know they were at risk, too, after the last public bombing. Bhutto wasn't the only martyr for Pakistani reform today.
At least in Canada you can be reasonably sure you won't be killed for attending a political rally.
Islamic countries' (and others') reactions:
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Couldn't find any Syrian statement.
CTV's David Akin is implicitly critical of slow reaction by the Canadian government; he may have a point:
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A CanWest News Service story:
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Mark
Ottawa
More on reaction in Canada:
[External Link]
Mark
Ottawa