The National Democratic Institute (NDI) April 2012 Iraq polling sheds expected but clear light on the political situation there: especially among Shia Iraqis and in Baghdad, Prime Minister Maliki is a hit. Among Kurds in the North and Sunnis in the West, that is far less the case. While commentary in Washington has been mostly negative since completion of the U.S. withdrawal at the end of 2011, an increasing percentage of Iraqis appreciate Maliki and think the country is heading in the right direction.
There are of course things that could upset the trends, and NDI explicates those:
But so far, Maliki has a lot to stack up to his credit. Chosen prime minister because he looked weaker than the alternatives, he is proving that he has the vital requirement of a democratic politician: approval (and presumably votes at the next election). The big question is whether he will use his improved position to consolidate democracy in Iraq or undermine it.
Those of us looking for a Ukrainian military victory, a Palestinian state that will live…
The sad fact is that non-member Kosovo today is more qualified for CoE membership than…
The legal profession could also constitute an international nongovernmental group to advise on conflict issues…
The wider war has arrived, but until there is decisively new leadership in both Tehran…
It really is a good lesson in diplomacy: anticipate trouble, try to prevent it, and…
It is high time for Israeli practice to rise to the level of Jewish ideals.…