“Karzai seems to veer between being dependent on the international presence and a real sense resentment and powerlessness. He tends to come out with public statements that make clear the degree of resentment that he feels,” says Stephen Carter, an independent policy analyst in Kabul. “In this particular case, he could have refrained from making a statement and ac,ted in a way that would have made this particular outcome less likely, but I don’t think it was a deliberate conspiracy. I think he was voicing frustrations that he genuinely feels.”

Since the outbreak of violence on Friday, Karzai has formed two committees to investigate the most deadly protests that occurred in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif and the southern city of Kandahar.

According to remarks by his spokesman, Karzai’s intent in speaking out against the Quran burning came from a sense of moral obligation to stand up against an act deemed deeply offensive to most Afghans.

However, many observers remain skeptical, citing the Afghan president’s policies on everything from private security companies to the long-term presence of international forces as evidence of a growing antiforeigner sentiment over the past few years.