What Next for the Lost Ally of the West?

Why did President Musharraf resign?

Musharraf's position has been in doubt since elections in February. Asif Ali Zardari, husband of the late Benazir Bhutto who leads the Pakistan People's party, and Nawaz Sharif, the head of the powerful Pakistan Muslim League-N who was ousted by Musharraf in 1999, eventually agreed to impeach the president. Already deeply unpopular, Musharraf faced a lengthy legal battle. While disputing the charges, he resigned, saying he had put Pakistan first.

Did he have any allies?

Too few to count. The ruling coalition needed 295 votes out of 442 in a joint sitting of both houses of parliament to impeach the president. A series of votes in provincial assemblies went against him and the army had long since washed its hands of him.

What are the roots of Musharraf's troubles?

The popular anger can be traced first back to December 2004 when Musharraf announced he was going back on his pledge to step down as army chief. But it was his decision in March 2007 to suspend Pakistan's supreme court chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, on allegations of misconduct that ignited a popular revolt.

What about the "war on terror"?

The resignation means that the west has lost its most important ally; Musharraf was widely seen as having attempted to rein in the terror groups in Pakistan - supporting the US in Afghanistan and pulling support from the Islamist jihad in Indian Kashmir. Last July, after a week-long siege, Musharraf ordered troops to storm the Red Mosque in Islamabad to crush a Taliban-style movement. At least 105 people were killed. The United States says Pakistan's leadership is a Pakistani matter but is worried about future cooperation.

Will the army stage another coup?

Unlikely. The army is hugely unpopular at home for fighting Washington's "war on terror" and has also been accused of protecting the Taliban. The army has lost an estimated 2,000 men fighting extremists in the tribal areas.

Where will Musharraf go?

No one is sure. Some suggest, not seriously, that he might return to Delhi, the place of his birth. Others say he would prefer Turkey, a Muslim country with strong secular traditions where he spent much of his childhood. Saudi Arabia, with a history of sheltering former dictators, would make him feel comfortable. But Musharraf's allies say he will stay put - perhaps in his luxurious bungalow being built in Islamabad.

Who will be the next president?

The president is elected by the four provincial assemblies and the national parliament. Many think the role might be reduced to a ceremonial one. If it retained the substantial powers, Asif Ali Zardari might want it. Zardari has hinted the next president might be a woman. Analysts have speculated that an ethnic Pashtun leader, Asfandayr Wali Khan, is a frontrunner because he is liberal and a sign of national unity.