Opinion: Long Live Iraq

International sources close to and aware of Iraqi issues said the upcoming prime minister will be Adel Abdul-Mahdi, who is highly respected in Washington. The sources believe that the election results will balance the different political slates and will prevent a divided Iraq. Both Kurds and Shias were unable to capture the two-thirds of parliamentary seats required to form a majority government, as was the case after the last elections. Following that election, a constitution was drafted under which they can establish semi-independent federalist states. Sunnis are afraid that they will be deprived of oil resources under the new federalist system. The US and British governments are not happy with speculation by international sources (that Abdul-Mahdi will become prime minister) because they support (former prime minister Ayad) Allawi’s secular list. But because Allawi's slate did not win many seats, they will try to push him for the post of vice president. Those who are pessimistic regarding Iraq's future believe that there will be conflicts inside the government, the parliament and within Iraqi society. One US organization called it "social deterioration." Long live Iraq.