Most Dangerous Trouble Spot In The World Update

Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, returned to her country after an exile of eight years, and uh, something happened.

A suspected suicide bomber struck Thursday night near a truck carrying former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on her triumphant return to Pakistan after eight years in exile. An official said 108 people were killed and many were wounded although Bhutto escaped unhurt.

Associated Press photographer B.K. Bangash at the scene said he saw between 50 and 60 dead or badly injured people. He said some of the bodies were ripped apart when the blast occurred more than 15 hours into a procession that was carrying Bhutto from the airport to the tomb of Pakistan's founding father, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, where she planned to give a speech [...]

The bombs exploded just after Bhutto's truck had crossed a bridge about halfway from the airport to the tomb. The truck had come to a halt between a mosque and an office block, and those traveling atop it with Bhutto climbed down, with one man jumping off. The blast shattered windows in her vehicle.

Bhutto at least represents the restoration of democracy in Pakistan, and there are several countervailing forces that don't want to see that happen. While the Islamists are a minority in Pakistan, they wield an outsized influence because of events like this. The worry is that the "shock doctrine" will cause Pervez Musharraf to take advantage of the situation:

It could also revive speculation that Musharraf will resort to martial law if the security situation — or his political dominance — are seriously threatened.

If Bhutto were killed I'd be willing to bet money that would happen. It still may. The situation is very fluid in Pakistan.