COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG POSTS ON BHUTTO ASSASSINATION (with links to complete post)

 

Capturing Bhutto's Killer By Paul Cruickshank

It is much too early to say for sure who ordered Benazir Bhutto killed. The Musharraf regime has not done itself any favors by the way it has handled the aftermath of her assassination, helping to fuel conspiracy theories about...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on January 1, 2008 3:02 PM

The Jihadi preemptive strike against Bhutto's war of ideas By Walid Phares

Former Pakistani Prime Minster Benazir Bhutto was murdered because of herpotential actions in Pakistan, by the combined forces of jihadism in that country. In short, they executed her to pre-empt her future war of ideas. This was the bottom line...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on January 1, 2008 12:29 AM

Did Qaeda Allies in Pak Government Help Slay Bhutto? By James Gordon Meek

New questions are being raised about divided loyalties inside the government of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in the wake of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. Could this shocking political murder have been, at least in part, an inside job? In Sunday’s New...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 31, 2007 5:58 PM

Has al-Qaeda Adopted a New Terror Tactic? By Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

In an article published yesterday, Time's Bruce Crumley claims that Benazir Bhutto's assassination may represent a new terror tactic for al-Qaeda. (Of course, responsibility for the assassination has not yet been determined definitively. Based on my intelligence sources, and despite...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 29, 2007 2:19 PM

Alleged Al Qaeda Spokesman Denies Involvement in Bhutto Attack (edited) By Andrew Cochran

(UPDATE: See actual video of the shooting of Benazir Bhutto.) From AFP News:Alleged Al-Qaeda leader Baitullah Mehsud denied any involvement in Benazir Bhutto's death after the Pakistan government blamed him for the killing, his spokesman told AFP on Saturday. "He...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 29, 2007 7:42 AM

Pakistan & A Bomb Too Far By Aaron Mannes

Less than a week before the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, there had been another bloody assassination attempt in Pakistan - both could represent turning points in Pakistan’s ongoing struggle with Islamist violence. In northwest Pakistan a...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 28, 2007 4:37 PM

Bhutto Murder Fits Pattern of Lashkar I Jhangvi Terrorism, With Nasty Implications By Jonathan Winer

We don't yet know whether Al- Qaeda Commander and spokesman Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid told the truth in his phone call to Italian news agency Adnkronos International (AKI) when he stated that the decision to kill Bhutto was made by Al-...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 28, 2007 2:14 PM

Renegade Commando Units Possibly Involved in Bhutto Killing By Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

Over at the New York Sun, Eli Lake reports on a possibility that I have also heard about from sources within government: The attack yesterday at Rawalpindi bore the hallmarks of a sophisticated military operation. At first, Bhutto's rally was...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 28, 2007 6:50 AM

Bhutto Assassination A Reminder This Is A Real War By Bill West

Today's assassination in Pakistan of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto should be a stark reminder that terrorists are engaged in a very real war against modern civilized society. Bhutto had her own ethically questionable background; but her current public political...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 27, 2007 5:58 PM

Reports: Imminent Statement Expected from Al-Qaida's Mustafa Abu Yazid Claiming Credit for Bhutto Assassination By Evan Kohlmann

There are now widespread reports suggesting that an imminent official statement is expected from Egyptian Al-Qaida spokesman Mustafa Abu Yazid claiming responsibility for the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Earlier today, Al-Qaida issued a separate statement from...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 27, 2007 1:59 PM

Analysis of the Bhutto Assassination By Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

I just participated in a symposium at National Review Online about Benazir Bhutto's assassination. Here is the analysis that I offered:Benazir Bhutto’s assassination is a tragedy, and likely a strategic setback as well. It is tragic because, despite the notorious...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 27, 2007 12:19 PM

Bhutto's Assassination Needs a Real Investigation By Aaron Mannes

Facts about Benazir Bhutto's assassination are in short supply. Unfortunately that is unlikely to change. There is a long tradition of failure to investigate political murders in Pakistan. This cannot continue if Pakistan is to become a stable democratic state...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 27, 2007 11:59 AM

Pakistan on the Brink: Assassination of Benezir Bhutto triggers widespread violence in Pakistan By Animesh Roul

Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a terror attack during a political rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. Over 20 people killed and many more injured in this suicide attack. As per sources, the Pakistan People's Party...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 27, 2007 10:40 AM

Benazir Bhutto's Assassination -- a Lethal Assault on Democracy By Jonathan Winer

The assassination of any political leader engaged in a campaign is a blow to democracy. This one is especially tragic. Benazir Bhutto, had enormous gifts, intelligence, education, the ability to lead, great speaking ability, and a charisma that exceeded what...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 27, 2007 9:45 AM

Previous Counterterrorism Blog Posts on First Bhutto Assassination Attempt By Andrew Cochran

Our Contributing Experts posted several analyses and updates after the first assassination attempt on Benazir Bhutto on October 18: Aaron Mannes: October 19, Pakistani Pressure-Cooker and October 23: Whodunnit from Hell: The Attack on Benazir Bhutto Jeffrey Imm, October 20:...

Posted in Counterterrorism Blog on December 27, 2007 8:57 AM