Bangladesh, Sept. 23 -- The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University this month was not only a shocking act of violence but also a watershed moment for American democracy. In a nation already divided by cultural, ideological, and political battles, the killing of a nationally recognized figure in front of thousands of witnesses has forced the United States to confront a stark reality: political violence has once again become a defining feature of its public life.

This tragedy is about more than the death of a 31-year-old activist who built his reputation mobilizing young conservatives on college campuses. Whether one agreed with Kirks fiery rhetoric or not, he embodied a central democratic ideal ̵...