Lahore, Mar. 4 : A report in the Foreign Policy magazine has warned the United States to get prepared for an `unwelcome contingency' of military regime which may return to rule Pakistan, by formulating a list of its highest-priority demands for any new military regime, including a timeline and plans for Pakistan's return to constitutional democracy.

The Obama administration's effort to bring in a new strategy for Afghanistan may not yield desire results due to the prevailing political uncertainty in neighbouring Pakistan.

"Washington should encourage Kayani to keep his men in the barracks," it states.

Then there is another crisis brewing-up in the form Nawaz Sharif's led wide scale public protest against the Zardari regime, which Washington must not take lightly.

The Obama administration should also work to avoid the worst-case scenario: a Nawaz-led government curtailing partnership with the US, it said.

The report also warns Obama of maintaining a close relationship with the `unpopular' Zardari regime because of the way he is dealing with the issues at the moment, curbing any voice against his regime.

The US should look to strike a balance between closer bilateral cooperation on issues of common interest and over reliance upon Zardari, it concludes. (ANI)