Next in Iraq: coalition-building
With a remarkably calm day at the ballot box behind them, Iraqis have begun the far less placid process of tallying up which group emerges as the biggest bloc – and with the clout to chart the country’s course for the next four years. The new government, when it is formed – it took politicians three months after January’s vote to agree on a coalition – will immediately face monumental challenges including finalizing a constitution, building up Iraqi security forces able to replace US troops fighting the insurgency, and managing reconstruction projects that have generally been American-run affairs. Full Story