The two recent elections on the subcontinent, in Pakistan and in the Indian state ofJammu and Kashmir, were conducted in environments of skepticism and uncertainty. Both yielded upset victories.In Pakistan, a hung parliament and the unexpectedly strong showing of the religious parties raise questionsabout how the government will deal with a political force that is hostile to its ties with the United Statesand will push a hard line toward India. The Kashmir elections, on the other hand, are an opportunity forpositive change in the state, though their ultimate results will depend on how willing the governments inDelhi and Islamabad are to create a real peace process. For the United States, the main message from theballot box is that South Asia will remain volatile, but that the stakes for U.S. interests are higher thanever.