What is Assassination?
Assassination is the act of murdering a high-profile individual for political, religious, or ideological reasons. It is a targeted killing carried out with the intention of eliminating a specific person who is perceived as a threat or obstacle to a certain agenda.
History of Assassinations
Assassinations have been used throughout history as a means of achieving political goals or settling disputes. From the assassination of Julius Caesar to the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand that sparked World War I, these acts have had far-reaching consequences.
Types of Assassinations
- Political Assassinations
- Religious Assassinations
- Ideological Assassinations
Examples of Assassinations
Some notable examples of assassinations include the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the killing of Martin Luther King Jr., and the targeted attacks on world leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Benazir Bhutto.
Case Studies
In recent years, the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian journalist, by agents of the Saudi government has sparked international outrage and raised questions about the use of targeted killings as a tool of state power.
Statistics on Assassinations
According to the Global Terrorism Database, there were 1,207 assassinations recorded worldwide in 2020. This highlights the continued use of targeted killings as a means of achieving political objectives.
