October 30th, 2009 by Jason

Juan Cole questions the purpose of keeping so many American troops in Iraq to protect the upcoming elections: “why should the Obama administration care if the election is held or not? Saudi Arabia hasn’t held any elections lately and it is our ally.” Besides, previous elections were “highly flawed and artificial.” He concludes, “I’m as in favor of democracy as anyone else. But I’m also skeptical that it can be imposed at the point of a gun on a deeply divided society that is at the moment dirt-poor.”

The Iraq Pundit responds, “It may come as a great disappointment to Cole, but Iraq functions. It is not where it should be, but it’s getting there.” In the end, Iraqis “just want a better government.” He goes on to express his dismay, but not surprise, that Iraq’s politicians have once again failed to pass an election law. The main sticking point remains the Kurdish insistence on a closed ballot. He explains, “with a closed ballot, no one can see who the party will bring in with it when it wins. Any party, whether Kurdish or otherwise, includes unsavoury characters.”

Posted in Democracy Promotion, Elections, Iraq, Kurds, Legislation, Military, Political Parties, US foreign policy |