CIA: Al Qaeda and the Taliban Were Responsible for Bhutto's Murder

By: Lowell
Published On: 1/18/2008 7:43:38 AM

According to the CIA, it looks like those of us who suspected Al Qaeda and the Taliban as the main culprits in the Bhutto assassination were correct:

The CIA has concluded that members of al-Qaeda and allies of Pakistani tribal leader Baitullah Mehsud were responsible for last month's assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, and that they also stand behind a new wave of violence threatening that country's stability, the agency's director, Michael V. Hayden, said in an interview.

Offering the most definitive public assessment by a U.S. intelligence official, Hayden said Bhutto was killed by fighters allied with Mehsud, a tribal leader in northwestern Pakistan, with support from al-Qaeda's terrorist network. That view mirrors the Pakistani government's assertions

Those who thought it was the Pakistani government's fault aren't totally wrong, however.  The LA Times reports:

One former Pakistani official, however, cautioned that even if Mahsud was involved, that did not mean that elements in the Pakistani army or intelligence agencies did not play a role in the slaying, even if only to look the other way or help stymie an investigation.

That's my conclusion: Al Qaeda/the Taliban (largely one and the same in Pakistan) were responsible for Benazir Bhutto's assassination, with possible involvement (active or passive) by elements within the Pakistani army and/or intelligence services.  Complicated, murky, dark, dirty.  Maybe there should be a sequel to Syriana called Pakistaniana?


Comments



CIA as a Proof Source (dsvabeachdems - 1/18/2008 8:55:23 AM)
Not the most reliable record as a source of analysis. But here, even a blind man can see.


This one's not a tough call (Lowell - 1/18/2008 9:21:01 AM)
n/t