General Musharraf is showing himself to be a much more insightful leader then most in the West gave him credit for when he deposed Nawaz Sharif on October 12, 1999. The general has the great leader’s tendency to recognize an exquisite opportunity when he sees one. He found his opportunity to befriend the U.S. in the early days after September 11, 2001, and now with the U.S.-backed roadmap for peace in the Middle East in place, he is continuing to realize that he has to play by the United States’ rules if he wants to play at all.The last part is the conventional wisdom, and probably is mostly if not completely true. But sometimes I wonder with gentlemen like this, who show such leadership, if it is just a matter of realizing who butters their bread. The best leaders do things because of conviction. I wonder if Musharraf partly takes the stances he takes because he has been convinced that they are the right stances, not just because he wants to stay on the U.S.' good side.
He has been a pivitol ally in our efforts, and has also helped to somewhat ease tensions between India and Pakistan. He's been a very helpful leader, which is ironic considering he was the one whose name then-candidate Bush could not remember in that 'pop-quiz' sprung by some smarmy New England local TV reporter.
Back to my reading.