https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2008/10/28/the-persistence-of-evil/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 08:06:44 -0400<![CDATA[Possibly the only thing the British SOE did that was worth a damn during World War 2 was assassinate Reinhard Heydrich. Heydrich was bright, athletic, musically trained son of a composer who also turned out to have an aptitude for cruelty, blackmail and secret policework. When his family was bankrupted by the economic collapse of Germany following its defeat in the Great War, Heydrich did what several ambitious, ruthless and brainy men of period did. He attached himself to a rising star: the Nazi movement. Soon he was in his element. He helped crush the SA.  By 1939 the 35-year old Heydrich commanded the &#8220;SD, the Gestapo, and the Criminal Police&#8221; and was widely expected to succeed Hitler himself. At the apex of the Third Reich&#8217;s fortunes, with its armies at the gates of Moscow Heydrich was made Hitler&#8217;s proconsul in occupied Czechkoslovakia. He now had his own country to play with.]]>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:18:51 -0400<![CDATA[Richard Fernandez]]>https://pjmedia.com/richard-fernandez/2008/10/28/the-persistence-of-evil-n186331