Stuff They Don't Want You To Know CLASSIC: The Hidden History of Assassins, Chapter Two: The Modern Day
Feb 10, 2026
A deep dive into how assassination survived into the modern era and adapted with new technologies. They trace legal gray areas, historical political murders, and Cold War escalation. The conversation covers drones, deniable tactics, corporate and state motives, and the rise of a global assassination industry.
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Ancient Tactics Shaped Modern Assassinations
- Assassination tactics from medieval sects shaped modern state practices and persist today.
- The hosts argue historical methods influenced contemporary geopolitical assassination strategies.
Assassination Isn't Universally Illegal
- International law does not categorically ban assassination; it bans perfidy and abuses of wartime protections.
- Michael L. Gross's paper shows legality hinges on whether protections like white flags are abused.
Legal Bans Can Live Beside Surveillance Powers
- Executive Order 12333 forbids U.S. personnel from engaging in assassination while authorizing broad surveillance.
- Ben notes the same order both bans assassination and underpins NSA data collection.