Paul Eckert, the Asia Correspondent for Reuters, reported that the killing of Benazir Bhutto has left the United States facing the challenge of finding a stable, democratic partner in Pakistan to combat Islamic extremism. Analysts warn of potential consequences such as widespread street riots and the fear of Pakistan becoming a nuclear-armed, unstable Islamic state. Financial investors, who are already wary of Pakistan's political risk, believe that ongoing instability will only increase this risk. Stephen Cohen of the Brookings Institution expressed concerns about the future of Pakistan, stating that Bhutto's death is a setback for the idea of a liberal, moderate Pakistan and could have unpredictable and negative effects on its 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 President Pervez Musharraf, ignoring pleas from Benazir until recently. The US had invested considerable energy and political capital in bringing the exiled former prime minister back to Pakistan and convincing Musharraf to step down from his military role. However, this has now led to a situation where hopes for a democratic transition are fading and there is a heightened risk of attacks by radicals, according to South Asia expert Frederic Grare. Mainstream party leaders are also being targeted for assassination. He mentioned that this weakens the political parties and is not a good sign for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. Street violence and nuclear safety are also concerns. President George W. Bush called on Pakistanis to honor Bhutto's memory by continuing the democratic process she fought for. U.S. officials hope that Pakistan will proceed with the planned elections on January 8. Security analyst Anthony Cordesman stated that Bhutto's death has worsened an already unstable political situation, as there is no other figure who can bring political stability, rule of law, and bridge the gap between Musharraf and the people of Pakistan. Analysts cautioned that in a country with a history of conspiracy theories and intense politics, blame would be cast in various directions following the assassination, leading to grief and anger that could potentially escalate into violence. Lisa Curtis of the Heritage Foundation emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in Pakistan, advising against implementing emergency rule as a solution. Some analysts also questioned Musharraf's ability to effectively combat terrorism, pointing out that if he couldn't protect a prominent politician in a relatively secure city, how could he address the challenges in the remote tribal regions where al-Qaeda and the Taliban are said to be gaining strength? Win Thin, a senior currency strategist at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co, questioned the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal during times of crisis. U.S. officials maintained that the weapons were secure despite recent upheaval over Musharraf's emergency rule. Cordesman of CSIS stated that Islamabad had received assistance from the U.S. and studied other countries' policies to enhance safety at its nuclear facilities. However, he expressed doubt about the transparency of Pakistan's nuclear weapons security, cautioning against making definitive statements without sufficient information.