Posted on 06/23/2014 9:13:04 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Overshadowed by Iraq's intensified security crisis, the country certified the results of the 30 April parliamentary elections on 1 June - triggering the start of efforts to ratify the next prime minister and his cabinet with at least 163 seats in the 325-member parliament.
Two-term Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and his State of Law alliance performed well, winning 92 seats directly and being able to count on at least a further 10 to 20 seats held by close allies.
Mr Maliki's Shia opponents could muster about 60 seats, the Kurds a further 53, the numerous Sunni Arab or nationalist lists a total of 60, and independents carrying the balance.
Competing as an MP in Baghdad, Mr Maliki won 721,000 votes - by far the highest personal vote of any Iraqi politician and even more votes than the 622,000 he gathered in 2010.
This performance put Mr Maliki in a commanding position to overcome opposition to a third term in office.
Indeed, when I met him and members of his inner circle in March they were confidently predicting their victory and making detailed plans for the third term.
The loss of government control across northern Iraq has arguably changed the picture.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
I was in southern Iraq doing contract work when Maliki “won” reelection. What you said is spot on. Everyone who worked for me said they voted for Alawi.
I check the chechen sites now and then they are promoting ISIS. Betcha there are a lot of chechens heading that way.
Perhaps other recruits too.
Anything is possible.
But my ignorant opinion is that his leaving the scene will be the result of bullets fired by one sect or the other.
That's pretty much the extent of the savage muslim animal nature.
My choice is to let nature and history run out its course. Cleaner, cheaper and instantly permanent...
You must have read this book, and a few others like it.
Unholy Terror, Bosnia, Al Qaeda and the Rise of Global Jihad, John R. Schindler, Zenith press, 2007.
That's seven years ago. What are the odds Baraq Hussein has read it?
Some travel time to the border in the late 90's and lots of lots of time on their websites...
I was curious to see if the Wahabi sect would support or deny the Sunni version of Islam and surprised to see they gave it wholehearted support.
The books you posted look great. Betcha Amazon has them...thanks for the suggestions.
From last November, so they are in. And if the chechens are in, things are ramped up significantly.
Isis will take Baghdad by hook or by crook. Remember Beslan and Budyonnovsk. Even with Shamil gone, they have learned a lot along the way.
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