South Asia Monitor: Pakistan and Musharraf: Surrounded by Uncertainty - May 2, 2007

A series of unrelated events have badly undermined the credibility of President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan. The death of Baluch leader Akbar Bugti, demonstrations after the botched firing of the country's chief justice, fighting involving Taliban sympathizers and Uzbek guests, and a brazen kidnapping in the capital all cast doubt on his political savvy and, more importantly, his ability to control events. As the time for elections approaches, both qualities are likely to be tested, and the likelihood of trouble in the streets has increased. Thus far, Musharraf’s relationship with the United States has been both an asset and a liability. Musharraf could weather this storm, but each outburst increases the odds that he will come to look like part of the problem instead of the solution.