A reality check by ICG’s Joost Hiltermann:
Much early post-election commentary widely interpreted the vote as a defeat of religious parties and of Iran; and as a victory for secularism, moderation – and the United States (which pushed for these elections and needed a peaceful poll as evidence of Iraq’s upward trajectory as it prepares to [...]
Archive for the ‘Iraq: Elections’ Category
Iraqi Elections: Why Iran Gained
Posted in Iraq, Iraq: Elections on February 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Iraqi Elections: U.S. Client Decimated
Posted in Iraq, Iraq: Elections on February 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
It seems last Saturday’s provincial elections have indeed transformed Iraq’s political landscape — but not quite the way many of us expected.
First of all, the Sunni vote in Anbar appears to have been split between the Awakenings and IIP. The rifle-brandishing sheikhs have so far rejected any suggestion of power sharing, let alone accepting IIP [...]
Iraq: Anbar Again?
Posted in Iraq, Iraq: Elections on February 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
With provisional results from Saturday’s provincial elections due shortly, tension is building in Iraq — or maybe it’s just tension among journos expecting another explosion of violence.
The Washington Post has ventured out to Ramadi and interviewed Anbar’s Sunni sheikhs who announce, with voices “dipping to a quiet growl”, that they won’t stand for the despised [...]
Morning Brief: Anbar, Renditions and the German Jihad
Posted in Human rights, Iraq, Iraq: Elections, Terrorism on February 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Working against a deadline, so a couple of quick links will have to do for now:
At Foreign Policy, Marc Lynch pours cold water on the rapturous reception of Iraq’s provincial elections, with special emphasis on Anbar.
At Jihadica, Anne Stenersen looks at the lack of a unified strategy by AQ and its affiliates on how to [...]
Iraq Holds Peaceful Election
Posted in Iraq, Iraq: Elections on February 1, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Reuters:
Iraqis held their most peaceful election since the fall of Saddam Hussein on Saturday, voting for provincial councils without a single major attack in a poll that demonstrated the country’s dramatic security gains.
Good for you, guys. Another important step to convince us skeptics that peace may be at hand after all.
Crisis Group on Iraqi Elections
Posted in Iraq, Iraq: Elections on January 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Haven’t read it yet, but here’s something you’ll want to sink your teeth into: a new International Crisis Group report on Iraq’s upcoming provincial elections. More later.
Iraqi Parliament Passes Elections Law
Posted in Iraq, Iraq: Elections on September 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Finally. Abu Aardvark and Reidar Visser have more.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Iraqi Parliament
Posted in Iraq, Iraq: Elections on August 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Ever wonder what went on inside the Iraqi parliament last week as lawmakers tried to muster a quorum to vote on the much-needed provincial elections law?
Waleed Ibrahim provides an amazing behind-the-scenes look in the Reuters Global News Blog:
A Shi’ite lawmaker accused Sunnis of following a ‘foreign Arab agenda’. A Sunni accused the Shi’ites of pursuing [...]
Iraqi Elections: Bush’s Pleas Go Unheeded
Posted in Iraq, Iraq: Elections on August 7, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Despite phone calls to legislators by President George W. Bush, and last-minute rescue attempts by UN and US diplomats, Iraqi politicians yesterday failed to reach a consensus on the crucial provincial elections law. This means several things:
Provincial elections will not be held before the end of 2008. In fact, according to a UN spokesman quoted [...]
Iraq: Parliament Starts Summer Recess, Polls Postponed until 2009
Posted in Iraq, Iraq: Elections on August 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
They tried and failed and tried and failed and finally called it a day. No provincial elections for Iraq until 2009.
