Iraq after the Elections: Towards a Bi-National State?

The elections of December 2005 are the crown jewel in American-led efforts to redesign the state of Iraq. Following the post-invasion dismantling of existing state structures, including the Ba’th Party, the army and other security organs, and after the October 2005 constitutional referendum, these elections were intended to provide a strong democratic foundation for the new Iraq. But their success is by no means assured, and many challenges remain.