Preoccupied as it was poring through Tom Daschle's tax returns, Washington hardly noticed a near-miracle abroad. Iraq held provincial elections. There was no Election Day violence. Security was handled by Iraqi forces with little U.S. involvement. A fabulous bazaar of 14,400 candidates representing 400 parties participated, yielding results highly favorable to both Iraq and the United States. ...more

February 16, 2009

The biggest Shiite party in Iraq once appeared to hold all the political sway: control of the heartland, the backing of influential clerics and a foot in the government with ambitions to take full control. ...more

February 2, 2009

Iraqis across the country voted Saturday in provincial elections that will help shape their future, but regardless of the outcome, it is clear that the Americans are already drifting offstage - and that most Iraqis are ready to see them go. ...more

February 2, 2009

51 Percent Voter turnout in Iraq's provincial elections Saturday 76 Percent Voter turnout in national elections in December 2005 ...more

February 2, 2009

Passing through razor-wire cordons and police checkpoints, Iraqi voters Saturday took another step in the nation's quest for stability in provincial elections that were carried off without major violence but tarnished by claims of flaws and threats of challenges. ...more

February 1, 2009

Here in barren Anbar province, the tribes that were once the main source of support for killing American soldiers are running in provincial elections that, in the best case, could fulfill American promises to create stability in Iraq by the ballot box. ...more

January 25, 2009

The top U.S. general in Iraq said he will make a decision about the future role of American troops in early spring, to allow enough time to address any violence that may arise from January's provincial elections. ...more

December 21, 2008

American combat troops will remain inside Iraqi cities to train and mentor Iraqi forces after next summer, despite a security agreement that calls for their withdrawal from urban areas by June 30, the top U.S. military commander said Saturday. ...more

December 14, 2008

Iraq's parliament Monday approved quotas guaranteeing minorities a handful of seats on the governing bodies of Iraqi provinces, an action that helps pave the way to regional elections but also angers Christians who had demanded greater representation. ...more

November 4, 2008

Under intense U.S. pressure, Iraq's parliament approved a law Wednesday that paves the way for the first provincial elections in four years after months of deadlock that U.S. commanders warned could jeopardize the dramatic decline in violence. ...more

September 25, 2008