Blowback (Justified)

Blowback, in the context of intelligence or military operations, refers to the unintended and negative consequences of a covert operation, foreign policy decision, or action that are suffered by the perpetrator or their allies. It is the idea that secret actions, particularly those that involve violence or deception, will often have unforeseen repercussions that can undermine the initial goals or even create new and larger problems.

The "justified" qualification suggests that the blowback experienced, while still negative and unintended, is viewed as a natural or even deserved consequence of the initial action, perhaps due to ethical considerations or strategic miscalculations. The justification does not necessarily imply that the blowback was predictable or acceptable beforehand, but rather that, in retrospect, the negative outcome aligns with expectations given the nature of the original act. The perception of justification is often highly subjective and dependent on the moral or political perspective of the observer.