"The Afghan presidential election, which has been beset by delays, violence and voter fraud, has become a one-man race. Incumbent Hamid Karzai was in effect handed the presidency after opposition candidate Abdullah Abdullah pulled out of the runoff, citing the government's refusal to make changes in the electoral commission. The US government says it is ready to work with the next Afghan leader, now almost certain to be Karzai, despite questions about the legitimacy of any future Karzai-led government." - Steven Perez from Bookmarklet