The Lingering Neocons and the Faujis - Syed Saleem Shehzad

All that matters now is that Zardari is the man of the hour and as president is destined to play a significant role not only in the "war on terror" but also in building peaceful relations with India. And along with Turkey, Pakistan wants to play a leading role in the Organization of Islamic Countries in developing a peace formula for the recognition of and peaceful coexistence with Israel.

The author of this broader role for Pakistan is Professor Husain Haqqani, the country's ambassador to Washington, a role Bhutto had chosen for him as a loyal colleague. Haqqani is also campaigning for Zalmay Khalilzad, currently the US ambassador to the United Nations, to become the next president of Afghanistan.

Zardari, Haqqani and their colleagues might have a fine vision for their country and the world in general, but the crucial issue is whether Pakistan's military establishment will ever allow Zardari to play a key role in which it is not involved.