Pakistan’s new leader

Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazair Bhutto, swept Pakistan’s presidential elect

Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazair Bhutto, swept Pakistan’s presidential election last week, vowing to promote democracy and maintain ties to the West. Already head of the main ruling party, Zardari, who was elected by the legislature, becomes one of the most powerful civilian leaders in Pakistan’s turbulent 61-year history. His quick rise came after he marshaled a coalition that forced stalwart U.S. ally Pervez Musharraf to quit as head of state. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice praised Zardari for recognizing “the centrality of fighting terrorism,” but it remains to be seen how much clout he will have over the nation’s powerful military.

The challenges facing Zardari were instantly brought home this week by a suicide bombing that killed 35 people in Peshawar and a rare U.S. assault against militants in Pakistani territory that killed at least 20 people.

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