Putting the Pieces Together About Pakistan's New Ambassador

A day after Husain Haqqani resigned from a job that no one really wants he was happy to kiss goodbye, Pakistan has appointed Sherry Rehman as its new ambassador to the United States.

A day after Husain Haqqani resigned from a job that no one really wants he was happy to kiss goodbye, Pakistan has appointed Sherry Rehman as its new ambassador to the United States. "Ah! To wake up in my motherland, without the burden of conducting Pakistan's most difficult external relationship," tweeted  Haqqani yesterday, leaving in his dust his replacement and the news outlets scrambling to piece together her political  résumé  to predict her likeability and leanings as Pakistan's ambassador to the United States. "An erudite social liberal, she has immersed herself in national security issues in recent years, developing the necessary proficiency to help manage Pakistan’s pursuit of an endgame in Afghanistan," said Rafiq Ari, an analyst on Pakistani politics in The New York Times, which adds that "Rehman, who is a member of Parliament belonging to the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party and a former information minister, is a leading politician and rights activist who has been a vocal supporter for women’s and minority rights." CBS ties her to noted U.S. ally, the late Benazir Bhutto. "Rehman ... became a member of the federal parliament in the 2008 elections, just months after former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. Bhutto and Rehman were friends for years - a relationship that influenced Rehman's decision to join Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party."  And USA Today predicts that "Sherry Rehman will likely be well-received in Washington, though she will have a tough task representing Pakistan amid widespread suspicion in the U.S. that nuclear-armed Pakistan is not a sincere ally in the fight against Islamist extremists." "Tough task" is a nice euphemism for the job, and it sure beats the "Good luck Sherry with the burden of conducting Pakistan's most difficult external relationship" greeting card.