Days of 1988: End of an era in US politics; a new dawn for Pakistan

Sadly, terrorism was a theme of the 1980s and of many other periods of the late twentieth century. 1988 was no different. Two such examples include the bombing of a Pan Am airliner in the skies over southern Scotland and the attack on the cruise ship City of Poros in the Aegean Sea in July.

Approaching Lockerbie
Stephen McKay / Approaching Lockerbie

On 21 December, a routine flight between London Heathrow and JFK Airport in New York (as part of a longer journey between Frankfurt and Detroit) was to end in tragedy as a bomb, planted by Libyan terrorists, exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. The tragedy claimed the lives of all 259 people on board the aircraft and eleven people on the ground, leaving communities to mourn, and the world coming to terms with yet another act of international terrorism.

The same year, two related episodes of terrorism, saw death visit a peaceful cruise in the Aegean Sea. On 11 July, a gunman using grenades and sub-machine guns killed eight people and wounded at least 60 others as it was returning to its mooring at Flisvos Marina, in the suburbs of Athens. He was also killed.

Only hours previously, a car bomb had exploded in the vicinity of the marina. This had resulted in the deaths of the two occupants of the car. The investigation of the incidents pointed to the Abu Nidal terror group. It is believed that the attack on the ship was a plan B, following the failure of the car bomb attempt. The attack emphasized that no place, not even the tranquil sea, was safe from the reach of violent extremism.

In India, attempts by the Indian Army to flush out Sikh insurgents resulted in their besieging the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This was the third attempt to remove insurgents fortified within the building. The first attempt in 1984 code-named Operation Blue Star had led to many thousands of deaths and although a military victory, had been a strategic disaster. Ultimately, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated as a result of the operation.

1988 saw the third attempt. In 1986, Operation Black Thunder had taken place during the night and early morning of 30 April and 1 May but had ultimately proven unsuccessful. 1988’s operation, also known as Operation Black Thunder (phase II) was conducted from 10 May to 19 May 1988. This time, the operation was successful. 200 militants surrendered and 41 were killed. In contrast to the previous operations, an initial blockade, then the use of minimal force, had achieved the desired result.

Strategic Military Manoeuvres: From Retreats to Regrets

The year 1988 marked significant transitions on the military front, beginning with the Soviet Union’s decision to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan. This was not merely a tactical retreat; it signalled the waning of the Soviet-Afghan war, a conflict that had stretched for nine gruelling years – the Soviet Union being just the latest nation to understand that invasion of Afghanistan is one thing, controlling the country is another. The implications for their departure were profound, as they foreshadowed broader changes in the geopolitical landscape and hinted at the internal shifts within the Soviet Union itself.

A map of Afghanistan

Alongside this withdrawal, on 7 December, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev made a surprise announcement of a unilateral reduction of up to half a million Soviet troops. Whilst this move was part of his broader perestroika and glasnost policies, aimed at reforming the Soviet system and reducing the tensions of the Cold War, it was also pragmatic. The Soviet economy was in dire straits and the reduction in military expenditure could be transferred into the civilian economy. Its headline was, however, an indication of the Soviet willingness to change the conversation from arms racing to arms reducing and reshaping of the Cold War’s dynamic.

However, not all military actions of 1988 were steps toward peace. In a dreadful error, two missiles from the USS Vincennes, a guided-missile cruiser United States military shot down Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf. The US claimed that it was a case of mistaken identity – they thought it was a hostile aircraft. The Iranians were very much of the opinion that it was a case of negligence.

All 290 lives on the airliner were lost, heightening tensions between the United States and Iran. The tragedy served as a grim reminder that, even among calculated strategies and diplomatic overtures, horrific mistakes could escalate conflicts and sow distrust among nations.

The events of this year prove that the realm of military power is both dynamic and delicate. Actions taken by world powers inevitably have a drastic impact on international relations and affect the lives of countless individuals.

As we move from reflecting on military matters to political accomplishments, we should remember that the two are not usually divorced from each other.

Breaking Barriers and Building Leadership in Global Politics

1988 was not only a year marked by confrontation and conflict but also a momentous period for political breakthroughs. High on the list of these was Benazir Bhutto’s ascent to power as Prime Minister of Pakistan. She followed in the footsteps of her father, Zulfikar Bhutto, who had been prime minister between his election in 1973 and a military coup in 1977. He was executed, for murder, in 1979.

Benazir’s victory was unprecedented, making her the first woman to head the government of a Muslim-majority nation. Her election was a beacon of hope for many, signalling a progressive shift and giving voice to women in regions often dominated by male leadership.

Her leadership, however, was not without challenges. As I reflect on her tenure, it’s important to note Bhutto faced strong opposition and complex problems in a country experiencing turbulent political changes. Touching on her policies, impacts, and the societal reactions she spurred provides a multi-dimensional view of this significant event.

Meanwhile, in the United States, the political landscape was undergoing its own transformation, however subtle. After serving for two terms, Ronald Reagan stood aside to allow his vice president George H.W. Bush the Republican nomination. Standing on a ticket with Dan Quayle, he emerged victorious in the presidential election, upholding Reagan’s legacy.

George HW Bush 41st President of the USA

Whilst not on the scale of Reagan’s 1984 victory, Bush secured 40 of the 50 states. This was another landslide victory over the Democrats and their nominee Michael Dukakis. His victory set the tone for the next four years of American policy, both domestic and foreign.

As I piece together the significance of these events, it’s clear they carried a considerable weight on the political scales of the time. Understanding the context and implications of such leadership shifts is key in grasping the historical tapestry that was 1988. The remarkable transitions in Pakistan and the United States not only shaped the era they occurred in but also left indelible marks on the political narratives of their respective countries.

Adding to these historical narratives, we approach yet another chapter that defined 1988: the cultural and scientific milestones that encapsulated the year’s innovative spirit and the rising awareness of global challenges. As the world edged into the final decade of the 20th century, the seeds of transformation planted in the arenas of technology, infrastructure, and environmental science began to sprout, giving rise to a new landscape that would echo into the future.

1988: A Pivotal Year for Cultural Shifts and Scientific Alarms

In addition to political and military events, 1988 was a monumental year culturally and scientifically. The year’s events would show us how the world was rapidly changing and adapting to new realities.

The surging popularity of CDs over vinyl records was yet another harbinger of the digital revolution. Our relationship with music, and how we consumed it, was transformed forever. It was the beginning of a journey that would eventually lead us into the era of digital streaming and an overhaul of the music industry.

A selection of CDs

A Japanese engineering marvel was celebrated as the world’s longest undersea tunnel, the Seikan Tunnel, was first opened to traffic on 13 March. This project, connecting the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido, wasn’t just a showcase of human ingenuity and persistence; it was also a reminder of our potential to connect the world in ways hitherto thought impossible.

Another portentous event of the year, standing as a sobering reminder of our responsibility to our planet was NASA scientist James Hansen’s Congressional testimony about the dangers of global warming. It brought climate change to the forefront of scientific discourse and served as a critical wake-up call, urging the international community to acknowledge and address our environmental impact.

In summary, 1988 was a year of contrasts: technological milestones and scientific enlightenment against a backdrop of geopolitical shifts and human transgressions. As history rolled on, those 366 days have become a reference point for the evolution of our society, the ways we engage with our environment, and the dynamic face of global leadership. It was, undoubtedly, a year that set the stage for the world we live in today.

Deaths

January

2 January – E. B. Ford, British geneticist (b. 1901)

7 January – Trevor Howard, English actor. Two 1940’s films, Brief Encounter (1945), followed by The Third Man (1949) catapulted Howard to fame (b. 1913)

13 January – Chiang Ching-Kuo, Chinese politician, 3rd President of the Republic of China (b. 1910)

14 January – Georgy Malenkov, Soviet politician, 5th Prime Minister of the Soviet Union (b. 1902)

15 January – Seán MacBride, Irish Republican Army leader, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1974 (b. 1904)

28 – Klaus Fuchs, German-born British physicist, and spy. Fuchs worked on the Manhattan Project but supplied information therefrom to the USSR. He was convicted of espionage in Britain in 1950 and sentenced to 14 years in prison (b. 1911)

February

5 February – Emeric Pressburger, Hungarian-British film producer. With Michael Powell, Pressburger was responsible for many British classic films in the 1940s and 1950s. For example, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), Black Narcissus (1947), The Red Shoes (1948), and The Tales of Hoffmann (1951) (b. 1902)

March

7 March – Divine, American singer and actor (b. 1945)

10 March – Andy Gibb, English singer, songwriter, performer, and teen idol. One of the famous Gibb family, but a solo star and not a member of the Bee Gees (b. 1958)

10 March – Phạm Hùng, 3rd Prime Minister of Vietnam (b. 1912)

29 March – Dulcie September, South African ANC activist (b. 1935; assassinated)

April

23 April – Michael Ramsey, British Anglican bishop, 100th Archbishop of Canterbury (b. 1904)

26 April – Valery Legasov, Soviet chemist, chief of the Chernobyl disaster investigation commission (b. 1936)

28 April – Fenner Brockway, British politician and anti-war activist (b. 1888)

May

3 May – Premendra Mitra, Indian poet, writer and film director (b. 1904)

3 May – Lev Pontryagin, Russian mathematician (b. 1908)

8 May – Robert A. Heinlein, American science fiction author (b. 1907)

11 May – Kim Philby, British spy. Along with Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt and John Cairncross, Philby was a member of the Cambridge Five passing British secrets to the Soviet Union (b. 1912)

13 May – Chet Baker, American jazz trumpeter (b. 1929)

June

2 June – Raj Kapoor, Indian actor, producer and director (b. 1924)

25 June – Hillel Slovak, guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers (b. 1962)

27 June – Aparicio Méndez, former President of Uruguay (b. 1904)

July

8 July – Ranjit Khanwilkar, Indian cricketer (b. 1960)

9 July – Barbara Woodhouse, Irish-born British dog trainer and TV personality. Famous for her exaggerated “Sit!” command (b. 1910)

18 July – Nico, German rock musician, fashion model, actress and Warhol socialite (b. 1938)

August

6 August – Anatoly Levchenko, Soviet cosmonaut (b. 1941)

14 August – Enzo Ferrari, Italian car maker (b. 1898)

17 August – Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, 6th President of Pakistan (b. 1924)

September

1 September – Luis Walter Alvarez, American physicist, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1911)

11 September – Roger Hargreaves, English author. Most famous for two series of books, the Mr Men and Little Miss stories (b. 1935)

28 September – Charles Addams, American cartoonist (b. 1912)

30 September – Trường Chinh, Vietnamese political leader, 3rd President of Vietnam (b. 1907)

October

2 October – Alec Issigonis, Greek-British engineer. Designer of the Mini, which was launched in 1959 (b. 1906)

A mini car as designed by Sir Alec Issigonis

9 October – Jackie Milburn, English footballer. Famous for scoring goals in two of Newcastle United’s FA Cup final wins in the 1950s. In all, Milburn scored 177 goals in 353 appearances for Newcastle and 10 goals in winning 13 England caps (b. 1924)

9 October – Felix Wankel, German mechanical engineer. Inventor of the Wankel rotary engine as name-checked by Mony Python in their sketch Are You Embarrassed Easily? (b. 1902)

November

4 November – Hermann Graf, German fighter ace (b. 1912)

19 November – Christina Onassis, American shipping magnate (b. 1950)

27 November – John Carradine, American actor (b. 1906)

December

6 December – Roy Orbison, American rock musician. Famous for songs such as Only the Lonely and It’s Over, Crying and Oh, Pretty Woman (b. 1936)

22 December – Chico Mendes, Brazilian environmental activist (murdered) (b. 1944)

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