AMID some tough competition, Pakistan has a reasonable claim to the title of World’s Most Dangerous Nation. It has nuclear weapons, a large contingent of fundamentalists bent on wreaking chaos beyond its borders, a simmering conflict with the big power next door and a long history of unstable governments. The atomic armoury is there to stay; but, after an election on May 11th which propelled Nawaz Sharif to power for the third time (see article), there are good reasons to believe that the place may get stabler, calmer and more prosperous. Given Mr Sharif’s record, such optimism may seem odd. He was a dreadful prime minister in the...

  DOWNLOAD COMPLETE POLICY MEMO Pakistan’s leadership transitions over the course of 2013 will complicate, perhaps even disrupt, the already tenuous U.S.-Pakistan relationship. As in the past, Washington may be tempted to lend support to Pakistani leaders with “pro-American” leanings. U.S. officials should resist these temptations. The United States should cast its weight behind Pakistan’s constitutional, rule-based process of leadership transition. By actively encouraging Pakistan’s leaders to stick to their own rules (while otherwise standing above the political fray), the United States would improve...