World's Most Dangerous Trouble Spot Update

So over the weekend, Dictator-General Pervez Musharraf lifted the state of emergency in Pakistan, despite continued attacks from Islamists. He took the opportunity to mark up the Constitution to his liking, and permanently swear in handpicked Supreme Court judges, to resist any challenges in the courts. Nevertheless he claimed that this lifting of the state of emergency would pave the way for democracy:

“Today I am feeling very happy that all the promises that I have made to the people, to the country, have been fulfilled,” he said. The removal of the state of emergency restores fundamental rights like the right of assembly and freedom of movement three weeks before parliamentary elections, and it would ensure that elections are free and fair, said the acting law minister, Afzal Haider.

Only Nawaz Sharif, head of the largest opposition party, won't be on the ballot due to a court decision, and if he appealed to the Supreme Court, he would be facing Musharraf-installed judges to restore the right for him to run against Musharraf-picked legislators.

Democracy!