Asia Correspondent Paul Eckert reports that analysts believe the assassination of Benazir Bhutto has set the United States back in its efforts to find a stable, democratic partner in Pakistan to combat Islamic extremism. The potential consequences of her death range from street riots to the troubling possibility of Pakistan becoming a nuclear-armed, unstable Islamic state. Financial investors, already wary of Pakistan's political risk, fear that ongoing instability will only increase the risk. Stephen Cohen of the Brookings Institution expressed concern about the impact of Bhutto's death on the idea of a moderate Pakistan, warning of unpredictable and unpleasant consequences for the region and beyond. Cohen stated that it is likely too late for the United States to make a significant impact, as they heavily supported President Pervez Musharraf and ignored Benazir Bhutto's requests for communication until recently. The US dedicated a lot of effort and political capital to bring Bhutto back to Pakistan and convinced Musharraf to step down as military leader in favor of elections and power-sharing with her. However, the situation now is dire, with decreased prospects for a democratic transition and heightened risks of attacks from radical groups, according to South Asia expert Frederic Grare. 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 encouraged Pakistanis to honor Bhutto's memory by continuing the democratic process she fought for. U.S. officials expressed hope that Pakistan would proceed with the scheduled elections on January 8. Security analyst Anthony Cordesman noted that Bhutto's death exacerbated an already unstable political situation, as there is no other prominent figure who can bring political stability and bridge the gap between Musharraf and the Pakistani people. Analysts cautioned that in a country known for conspiracy theories and intense politics, accusations would fly 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 measures to achieve this. Some analysts also raised doubts about Musharraf's ability to effectively combat terrorism, questioning his capability to address security challenges in remote tribal regions where groups like al-Qaeda and the Taliban are said to be flourishing. Win Thin, a senior currency strategist at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co, inquired about the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal during times of crisis. U.S. officials maintained that the weapons were secure despite recent turmoil over Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule. Cordesman of CSIS noted that Islamabad had received assistance from the U.S. and studied other countries' policies to enhance safety measures for its nuclear facilities. However, he questioned whether there was enough transparency for outsiders to confidently assess the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons, warning that making definitive statements could lead to discreditation.