Devastating floods, bloodshed & suicide bombing.... this is Pakistan

After wrecking Pakistan's northwest, the worst floods in 80 years swept through the economically vital Punjab in a catastrophe that has raised doubts about President Asif Ali Zardari's fragile leadership. Zardari left for Europe this week on state visits, drawing criticism for his absence during the worst of the destruction. Ethnic violence in Pakistan's biggest city Karachi, and a suicide bombing claimed by Taliban militants in Peshawar also piled pressure on his government, widely criticized for its handling of the floods, which have killed over 1,500 and devastated the lives of more than three million people. It's too early to gauge the economic costs of the floods but they are likely to be staggering. Pakistan depends heavily on foreign aid and its civilian governments have a poor history of managing crises, leaving the powerful military to step in. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced in Washington on Wednesday that Americans could text the word "SWAT" to the number 50555 to donate $10 per SMS message to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to provide tents, clothing, food, clean water and medicine to Pakistan. The United States has provided $10 million in aid to help ease the floods crisis.