Paul Eckert, Asia Correspondent based in Washington, reported on the analysis of analysts who believe that Benazir Bhutto's assassination has set the United States back in its efforts to find a stable, democratic partner in Pakistan against Islamic extremism. The possible consequences of her killing include widespread street riots and the nightmare scenario of Pakistan becoming a nuclear-armed, unstable Islamic state. Financial investors, who already consider Pakistan's political risk, believe that ongoing instability will increase this risk. Stephen Cohen from the Brookings Institution expressed concerns about the impact of Bhutto's death on the idea of a liberal, moderate Pakistan and its potential effects on neighboring countries, Europe, and the US. Cohen stated that it is likely too late for the United States to make a significant impact, as they had previously supported President Musharraf over Benazir's requests for acknowledgment. The US had heavily invested resources and political influence in bringing the exiled former prime minister back to Pakistan and convincing Musharraf to step down from his military role. However, this has resulted in a situation of multiple failures, including dashed hopes for a democratic transition and increased risk of attacks by radical groups, according to South Asia expert Frederic Grare. Additionally, mainstream party leaders are 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 urged Pakistanis to honor Bhutto by continuing with the democratic process she believed in. U.S. officials hope that Islamabad will proceed with the planned elections on January 8. Security analyst Anthony Cordesman noted that Bhutto's death has worsened an already unstable political situation in Pakistan. He expressed concerns about finding a leader who can bring political stability, uphold the rule of law, and bridge the gap between Musharraf and the Pakistani people. Analysts cautioned that in a country known for conspiracy theories and intense politics, blame would be directed in various directions following the assassination, leading to potential violence amid grief and anger. Lisa Curtis from the Heritage Foundation emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in Pakistan, advising against Musharraf imposing emergency rule. Some analysts also expressed doubts about Musharraf's ability to effectively combat terrorism, questioning how he could address issues in remote tribal areas if he couldn't protect a prominent politician in a relatively secure city. Win Thin, senior currency strategist at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co, questioned the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal during crises, with U.S. officials stating that there has been no change in the assessment made last month. Cordesman of CSIS mentioned that Islamabad has received assistance from the U.S. and has studied other countries' policies to enhance safety at its nuclear facilities. However, he also noted that there is not enough transparency for outsiders to confidently assess the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons.