Benazir Bhutto Assassination

Yesterday's assassination of Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto raises some interesting questions:

• WHO is responsible for the killing? I've seen reports that al-Qaeda was claiming credit, but other sources point at Musharraf.
• WHAT will happen next? Musharraf had just recently restored "constitutional" government to Pakistan, after suspending the constitution -- and most civil rights -- in an attempt to hold onto power. Not surprisingly, Pakistan is currently being wracked by rioting, but what is further down the road? Will Musharraf reinstate martial law? Will Bush be forced to move troops into Pakistan to maintain some semblance of order? And if so, where will he find those troops?
• WHAT exactly happened, anyway? Initial reports indicate Bhutto was shot, prior to the bomber detonating himself (what used to be called a "not-so-smart bomb"); there have been conflicting reports as to whether a handgun or long gun was used. In addition, the early report I saw from the hospital indicated trauma as the cause of death, with no mention of bullet wounds.

One thing that should go without saying is that Bhutto has been martyred for her cause. It is likely that she will exercise more power and more influence dead than she could have alive.

One other thing: Bhutto's assassination will make an already-muddled situation in that part of the world much. much worse.