Analysts said that the assassination of Benazir Bhutto has set the United States back to square one in their efforts to find a stable, democratic partner in Pakistan to combat Islamic extremism. The consequences of her death could range from street riots by her supporters to the nightmare scenario of Pakistan becoming a nuclear-armed, unstable Islamic state. Financial investors, who already consider Pakistan to be politically risky, believe that the ongoing instability will only increase the risk. Stephen Cohen from the Brookings Institution expressed concern about Bhutto's death, calling it a setback for the idea of a liberal, moderate Pakistan and warning of unpredictable and unpleasant consequences for Pakistan's neighbors, Europe, and the United States. Cohen stated that it is likely too late for the United States to take significant action, as they had heavily supported Musharraf and ignored Benazir's requests for communication until recently. The US invested a lot of effort and political resources to bring the exiled former prime minister back to Pakistan and convince Musharraf to step down as military leader. However, now there are concerns about a potential disaster, from the fading prospects of a democratic transition to the increased risk of attacks by radical groups, according to South Asia expert Frederic Grare. Mainstream party leaders are also facing assassination threats. He stated that this weakens the political parties and does not bode well for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. President George W. Bush encouraged Pakistanis to honor Bhutto by continuing the democratic process she fought for. U.S. officials hope that Pakistan will still hold the scheduled elections on January 8. Security analyst Anthony Cordesman believes that Bhutto's death has intensified an already unstable political situation in Pakistan, making it difficult to find a leader who can bring stability, legitimate elections, 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 cast in various directions following the assassination, leading to potential violence fueled by grief and anger. Lisa Curtis from the Heritage Foundation emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in Pakistan, advising against Musharraf implementing emergency rule. Some analysts also raised 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 like Rawalpindi. Win Thin, senior currency strategist at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co, questioned the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal during times of crisis. US officials have maintained that the weapons are secure despite recent turmoil. Cordesman of CSIS suggested that Islamabad had received assistance from the US and looked at other countries' policies to enhance safety measures for its nuclear facilities. However, he emphasized the lack of transparency that would allow outsiders to definitively assess the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons, warning that making any categorical statements on this matter could be discrediting.