#1. Pakistan in Crisis

Nov. 11: President General Pervez Musharraf imposes emergency rule, hoping to cling to power in the face of multiple challenges. He has faced street protests in support of the independent judiciary, which he sacked as one of his first acts under the emergency, and a growing challenge from Pakistan's own Taliban, both in the northwest of the country and through suicide bombings in the cities. Musharraf's woes come after a violent standoff with extremists holed up in the Red Mosque shook the capital in July, and the return from exile of two former prime ministers demanding restoration of civilian rule. Still, Musharraf hopes to weather the crisis and remain in the presidency after giving up command of the military.