This almost reads more like a plot to a thriller movie!
Thank you for this fascinating entry @bifilarcoil, on a subject that might be unknown to many of us! "Soft coups" are more difficult to make a case for as they can be more readily dismissed as "conspiracy theory" but these cases certainly exist.
For example, @v4vapid's piece on Chile highlights how special interest groups in Chile openly called for the assassination of Salvador Allende to prevent him from being elected as president of Chile.
It appears from a first read that Pim Fortuyn was targeted by professional assassins because of his staunch opposition to the purchase of JFS.
(Couldn't get the assassination video to play the first time through, but working now!)
Great work again @bifilarcoil, Resteemed!