The hubris of a leader

The world reeled in shock when Ms Bhutto was assassinated. Many accounts of how she died have been circulating. Which one is true? Only those who ordered the killing would know. Only those who actually saw what happened would know. Only those who performed the last rites for her burial would know.

She returned to her homeland despite the risks to her personal safety from her enemies. Her enemies were many.

And who were these enemies?
Those who did not believe that a Muslim woman should appear in public with her face uncovered.
Those who believed that a Muslim woman should not take public office.
Those who believed that anyone who is a friend of the US govenrment is an enemy of the anti-US alliance.
Those who were envious of her popularity and her legacy as a daughter of her father, a revered national hero.
Those who hated her for her courage to return despite the risks when they themselves lacked the courage and conviction to seek the democratic process to national leadership.

The first attempy on her life occurred immediately upon her return.

Which woman wouldn't have immediately hesitated to continue, to persevere with the dream to restore the nation to democracy, to protect herself and her loved ones from such dangerous enemies? Most women would have. After all her father was killed when the military seized power.

Yet, not Ms Bhutto. The ancient Greeks would have understood her decision. It was the decision that she had no choice but to make, a path that she knew would very likely have a tragic ending for her. It must have been a difficult decision. It was a decision which required more than courage, more than determination. It was a belief that either she rose to lead the nation that she loved or she gave up her life for the same nation as a true leader would do.

The ancient Greeks called it the hubris of a leader.