Paul Eckert, the Asia Correspondent, reported that analysts believe Benazir Bhutto's assassination has put the United States back to square one in its efforts to find a stable, democratic partner in Pakistan to combat Islamic extremism. The potential consequences of her death could range from widespread riots to the nightmare scenario of Pakistan becoming a nuclear-armed, unstable Islamic state. Financial investors, who are already wary of Pakistan's political risk, stated that while Bhutto's killing was not unexpected, ongoing instability would increase the risk. Stephen Cohen of the Brookings Institution expressed concern about the impact of Bhutto's death on the idea of a liberal, moderate Pakistan and how it could affect neighboring countries, Europe, and the United States in unforeseen and negative ways. Cohen stated that it is likely too late for the United States to make a significant impact, as they had heavily supported Musharraf while ignoring Benazir's requests for recognition. The US invested a lot of effort and political resources to bring Benazir back to Pakistan in October, convincing Musharraf to step down from his military role and agree to share power with her. However, according to South Asia expert Frederic Grare, the situation now presents multiple challenges, including a setback in democratic progress and an increased risk of attacks by radical groups, with mainstream party leaders being targeted for assassination. He stated that this weakens the political parties and is not a good sign for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. President George W. Bush encouraged Pakistanis to honor Bhutto's memory by continuing the democratic process she fought for. U.S. officials expressed hope that Islamabad would still hold elections as planned. Security analyst Anthony Cordesman noted that Bhutto's death worsened an already unstable political situation in Pakistan, making it difficult to find a leader who could bring stability, legitimate elections, and bridge the gap between Musharraf and the Pakistani people. Analysts cautioned that in a country with a history of conspiracy theories and intense politics, there would be blame and unrest following the assassination, potentially leading to violence. Lisa Curtis of the Heritage Foundation emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in Pakistan, advising against imposing emergency rule. Some experts also raised doubts about Musharraf's ability to effectively combat terrorism, questioning how he could handle the challenges in areas like the tribal regions if he couldn't protect a prominent politician in a relatively secure city. Win Thin, a senior currency strategist at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co, questioned the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal during crises. Despite U.S. officials stating that the weapons were secure amid recent turmoil, Cordesman of CSIS mentioned that there was uncertainty about the transparency of Pakistan's nuclear weapons security. He stated that making a categorical statement about their security may discredit oneself.