On its own:

In the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto’s murder, domestic power struggles are shaping, or distorting, debates about how she was killed, what becomes of her Pakistan People’s Party, and when to hold pending elections. Given Pakistan’s geopolitical importance, and the likelihood that any overt American meddling in those power struggles will exacerbate resentment of the United States, the Bush administration must avoid any temptation to play the puppeteer in Pakistan.

Precisely because so much is at stake, however, President Bush must suppress the impulse to strike a hectoring pose. The less Bush says now about the delayed parliamentary elections, the better. As with the election date, the dynastic transfer of leadership in Bhutto’s party to her husband and son is a domestic issue for which Pakistanis do not need American advice. But calls for an independent investigation of Bhutto’s assassination do involve the international community.

America could win points for goodwill if it supported an international investigation, showing it is more attached to the rule of law than to President Musharraf. But the investigation will not bring Bhutto back, nor resolve Pakistan’s domestic conflicts, nor eliminate the threat from religious extremists. Pakistanis will have to do those things themselves. — The Boston Globe