At Least 20 Killed in Iraq Bombings

LONDON, Asharq Al-Awsat—At least 20 people were killed and over 100 wounded on Monday, April 15 in a series of car bombings targeting mainly Shi'a areas across Iraq. With the provincial elections due to take place on April 20, there is great concern that such violent attacks could influence the outcome of the elections. The elections are being closely watched as they are considered a test of political stability after the end of US involvement in the country. Fear of further attacks migh...

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A Test of Democracy

On a recent visit to Iraq, I found little appetite or excitement for the upcoming local elections scheduled for April 20. One taxi driver said, “They’ve only recently finished working out how to share power from the last election, and now there is another vote.” Iraq’s fledgling democracy continues to be characterized by fragility as it faces its first elections since 2010. Political violence is increasing as we head towards the vote: on April 6, a suicide bomb and grenade attack kil...

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