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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Can Democracy Survive in Iraq?

What if you have an election and nobody wins? That's the latest challenge to democracy in Iraq, and it may take months for a new government to be formed. It's not even clear if the current prime minister or one of his predecessors should get the first chance to try building a coalition strong enough to take charge.

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

What if you have an election and nobody wins? That's the latest challenge to democracy in Iraq, and it may take months for a new government to be formed. It's not even clear if the current prime minister or one of his predecessors should get the first chance to try building a coalition strong enough to take charge. Prolonged delay might produce political compromise or a return to sectarian civil war, and both leading candidates are looking over their shoulders at Iran. Should the Obama Administration stay the course and pull combat troops out by the end of August, or will continued stability require US boots on the ground?

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • KCRW placeholder

    Karen Radziner

    Managing Producer, To the Point & Which Way LA?

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    Frances Anderton

    architecture critic and author

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    Ned Parker

    Reuters News Service

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    Laith Kubba

    Spokesman, former Iraqi Prime Minister al-Jaafari

  • KCRW placeholder

    Michael O'Hanlon

    Brookings Institution

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