Iraq's Election Faces Security Challenges and Iran's Influence
Iraqis voted in a parliamentary election marked by low turnout and disillusionment, with many voters skeptical of political reform and boycotting by populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. The election results are unlikely to drastically change Iraq's political landscape, which remains influenced by entrenched parties and sectarian power-sharing, while the new government will face challenges balancing US and Iranian interests and addressing domestic unrest.