Italo Balbo vs Qamar Javed Bajwa

Balbo led a mass transatlantic flight of 24 Savoia-Marchetti S.55 flying boats from Italy to the Century of Progress exposition in Chicago. The flight demonstrated Italian aviation prowess and was a major propaganda success for the Fascist regime.

Balbo was appointed governor of the Italian colony of Libya. He implemented infrastructure projects, including the Litoranea Balbia coastal highway, and pursued a policy of Italian settlement, but also faced resistance from local populations.

Balbo was flying as a passenger in a Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 when his aircraft was shot down by Italian anti-aircraft fire over Tobruk, Libya. The incident was officially ruled an accident, though some suspected deliberate action by rivals within the Fascist hierarchy.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa was appointed as the 16th Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army, succeeding General Raheel Sharif. His appointment was seen as a continuation of the military's anti-terrorism policies, and he was given an unprecedented three-year extension in 2019, making him the longest-serving army chief since Ayub Khan.

General Bajwa launched Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, a nationwide counter-terrorism operation aimed at eliminating residual terrorist threats and consolidating gains from previous operations. The operation involved intelligence-based raids and border management, further reducing terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

Following the Pulwama attack, India launched airstrikes on Balakot, Pakistan. General Bajwa oversaw Pakistan's military response, including the downing of two Indian aircraft and the capture of an Indian pilot. The crisis de-escalated after Pakistan returned the pilot, but tensions remained high along the Line of Control.

General Bajwa played a key role in facilitating the US-Taliban peace agreement, signed in Doha. Pakistan's military provided logistical support and pressure on the Taliban to negotiate. The deal led to the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and the subsequent Taliban takeover in 2021.