Iraq vote a setback for Al-Qaeda (Straits Times)
BAGHDAD – AL-QAEDA in Iraq suffered a major blow after Sunni voters largely ignored its death threats and turned out in force to cast their ballots in a crucial weekend general election, observers said. Electoral authorities have put the final turnout in Sunday’s vote at 62.4 per cent, and Sunni participation was seen as a defining aspect of the ballot, especially in traditional Al-Qaeda …
Turnout for Iraq election solid at 62 percent (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Turnout in Iraq’s parliamentary election was 62 percent, higher than in last year’s provincial ballot, despite attempts by Sunni Islamist insurgents to disrupt the vote with attacks that killed 39, officials said on Monday.
Iraq Inquiry – the lessons learned so far (Channel 4)
Sir John Chilcot’s Iraq Inquiry now moves into its next phase, having heard evidence from civil servants, military officials and leadin politicians. Channel 4 News Iraq blogger looks at what has been learned from the inquiry’s hearings.
Obama: Iraq must be free to chart its own course (Belfast Telegraph)
The people of Iraq have gone to the polls to choose their leaders in Iraq’s second national election. By any measure, this was an important milestone in Iraqi history. Dozens of parties and coalitions fielded thousands of parliamentary candidates, men and women. Ballots were cast at some 50,000 voting booths. Related Stories Tories respect our position within the United Kingdom Hung Parliament …
Sunnis Who Fled Iraq, Remain In Exile (NPR)
Since the U.S. invasion of Iraq, about 4 million Iraqis have fled their homes. Another 2 million have fled the country entirely. Throughout the war, NPR’s Deborah Amos has spent much of her time with Iraqis, who fled to Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. She has a new book out: Eclipse of the Sunnis: Power, Exile, and Upheaval in the Middle East.
Molly Hunter: Eyes on the Prize for Iraqi Women (The Huffington Post)
Today in Iraq, women have few education and employment opportunities. It’s time for Iraqi politicians of all genders, religions, and political parties to advocate for women.
Baghdad holds key as Iraq awaits initial vote results (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Iraq awaited initial results on Tuesday from polls touted as a test of its young democracy, with Baghdad holding the key as the prime minister’s list and its top secular rival jockeyed for pole position.
About 1,400 Bay Area Iraqi voters turn out to cast a ballot of their country’s election (Contra Costa Times)
PLEASANTON Iraq’s second democratic election drew 1,400 Iraqi immigrants and first generation Iraqis to the Alameda County Fairgrounds to cast a vote for parliament.
