Nukes in the Balance...

Musharraf may be the only thing standing in the way of Islamotards going nuclear:

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - President Gen. Pervez Musharraf suspended Pakistan's constitution and deployed troops in the capital Saturday, declaring that rising Islamic extremism had forced him to take emergency measures. He also replaced the nation's chief justice and blacked out the independent media that refused to support him.

Authorities began rounding up opposition politicians, cut phone lines in Islamabad and took all but state television off air despite calls from Washington and other Western allies not to take authoritarian measures.

The U.S. called for Musharraf to restore democracy. However, the Pentagon said the emergency declaration does not affect U.S. military support for Pakistan and its efforts in the war on terrorism. Britain said it was deeply concerned.

Musharraf's leadership is threatened by an increasingly defiant Supreme Court, the reemergence of political rival and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and an Islamic movement that has spread to the capital. Analysts said the measures Saturday may only postpone his political demise.

The world better hope that Musharraf stays in power. The last thing we need is a regime that would be friendly to Iran; or worse yet, an Ayatollah Khomeni wannabee with nukes.

This situation is not good, any way you dice it.