Since his five-year term began in September 2008, Zardari has found it hard to assert his authority. Like his predecessor, General Pervez Musharraf, he is in danger of falling victim to a tide of anti-Americanism, fueled by disquiet over US policies in Pakistan, such as the use of military drones and covert operations.
而阿西夫·扎尔达里的政府也存在问题。自2008年9月开始他的5年任期起，扎尔达里都难以树立自己的权威，而且跟其前任穆沙拉夫将军一样可能沦为反美主义浪潮的牺牲品，而这一浪潮是由巴基斯坦境内对美国政策 —— 诸如使用武装无人机以及执行秘密军事行动 —— 感到不安的人们所激起的。