Opposition leader Qanooni likely to provide the balance
With the vote count in Afghanistan's first presidential election going as predicted and interim leader Hamid Karzai virtually sweeping the board, there is concern in some circles that the war-blighted nation may be witnessing the emergence of an unchallenged leader who may eventually exercise absolute power.
As a result, the United States may seek to shore up the country's opposition to avoid the possibility of Mr Karzai joining the long list of dictators in the region.
'The Americans do not want to repeat the mistake they made with the Shah of Iran and help create an autocrat in Afghanistan,' a Kabul-based diplomat said. 'It's for this reason that after the presidential poll they would like to ensure that opposition leaders such as Yunus Qanooni do not get sidelined.'
Mr Karzai was plucked from obscurity while in exile in Pakistan nearly three years ago and installed as the leader of post-Taleban Afghanistan.
Until now he has been perceived as a weak leader and dubbed 'the mayor of Kabul'. Though he cannot do without Washington's support, an emphatic poll victory would give him the legitimacy and authority he craves.