Abbas al-Bayati, center, a Turkmen member of the Iraqi parliament, speaks to the media after voting on an election law at the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad, Nov. 8, 2009. (Mohammed Ameen/Reuters)
Analysis: Passing of Iraq election law brings relief
U.S. officials made unwanted compromises, but can now turn their attention toward troop withdrawal.
BAGHDAD, Iraq — American officials breathed a huge sigh of relief this week as Iraqi lawmakers finally herded themselves into parliament and voted through an election law for parliamentary elections in January.
The voting, taken up to the constitutional deadline that would allow for elections to be held at the end of January, was a relief for Iraqi officials as well. But more so...
Recent on Iraq:
Discord as elections loom in Iraq
Jane Arraf - Worldview - October 20, 2009 08:40 ET
Analysis: The country struggles to decide just how democratic it really wants to be.
Iraq's election issues
Jane Arraf - Iraq - October 20, 2009 08:28 ET
Graft the next great hurdle to a 'new' Iraq
Tom A. Peter - Iraq - October 16, 2009 15:43 ET
Worse than the Saddam years? On the topic of corruption, many Iraqis say yes.
Opinion: Isolating insurgents is nothing new
HDS Greenway - Worldview - October 6, 2009 05:42 ET
In the Vietnam era it was called pacification. Today it’s nation-building.
US plays peace broker in Iraq
Tom A. Peter - Iraq - September 25, 2009 10:34 ET
As tensions between Arabs and Kurds grow, and US troops prepare to leave, the race is on to broker a lasting peace.
Behind Baghdad's '9/11'
Jane Arraf - Iraq - September 16, 2009 14:43 ET
Regret, rage and recrimination follow last week's deadly attacks.
Opinion: Slouching toward Baghdad
Joel Brinkley - Worldview - September 6, 2009 08:23 ET
The challenges of building a new democracy in a place that has been resistant to it.
Iraq: In the bunker
Jane Arraf - Iraq - August 20, 2009 08:07 ET
A wave of bombs, a dark anniversary, and a war that won't go away.
A summer of protest. Is anyone listening?
Teri Schultz - European Union - August 15, 2009 11:24 ET
An Iranian exile worries his demonstrations against Iraq fall on deaf ears.
The waiting game
Tom A. Peter - Iraq - August 13, 2009 08:39 ET
Traveling with the US military in Iraq? Best pack a good book.
Meet the economic gangsters
Mark Scheffler - Commerce - August 12, 2009 09:03 ET
Economic gangsters come in all shapes and sizes — they're Asian dictators and Somali pirates.
Your foxhole or mine?
Tom A. Peter - Iraq - August 8, 2009 11:38 ET
For married military couples, being deployed together has its advantages and drawbacks.
Opinion: Let Iraqis go their own way
HDS Greenway - Worldview - August 6, 2009 13:42 ET
Like the Brits in Palestine and US in Vietnam, it is time to get out of Iraq.
Downtime in the desert
Tom A. Peter - Iraq - July 29, 2009 17:35 ET
Hurry up and wait, or so the idiom goes ... especially when you're a US soldier in Iraq.
Iraqis ponder returning home
Tom A. Peter - Iraq - July 28, 2009 06:11 ET
Iraqis displaced by war are key to the country's future, yet many are reluctant to resettle there.
Iraq: From breadbasket to dust bowl
Tom Peter - Iraq - July 26, 2009 17:45 ET
But could it have a future in organic foods?
Global music: Inbar Bakal
Jonathan Curiel - Israel and Palestine - July 19, 2009 09:53 ET
On the melding of cultures and other groovy matters.
Iraqi "independence day" arrives
Jane Arraf - Iraq - July 16, 2009 16:34 ET
Despite upsurge in violence, US says conditions for withdrawal from major cities have been met.
Kerry: "We are going to take a hard look at Afghanistan"
John Aloysius Farrell - Diplomacy - July 10, 2009 14:21 ET
In an interview, Sen. John F. Kerry recalls his appearance at Vietnam hearings and says he will hold them on Afghanistan.
Global Blogs:
An Early Xmas Present for the Press
Iraq Pundit - Iraq - November 18, 2009 09:20 ET
The mainstream media got an early Christmas present today. There are reports that Iraq is collapsing. First, there are stories that the election process has gone off track because one of Iraq's vice presidents vetoed one article in the election law. Next, the Kurds are...
Iraqi presdient guarntees oil deals to Total
Baghdad's Kassakhoon - Iraq - November 18, 2009 06:36 ET
During an official visit to Paris, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani assured France's Total that it will have a special treatment and will get oil deals in his war-torn country in its second bidding round."We might favor a French bid whatever the figures. Don't fear this auction....
Iraq News
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Reporter's Notebook
At a small hotel in Baghdad's Judriyah district, generator mechanic Ali Ghazi sat watching President Obama's speech on a TV screen in the lobby as he...Read more >
BAQUBA, Iraq: On voting day as Iraqis went to the polls, the world saw purple fingers raised in a sign of victory over violence. Behind those images...Read more >
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