Iraq's provincial elections took place without major incident, leading observers to let out a sigh of relief. Some hailed the elections for what they were -- in Larry Kaplow's words, "orderly, safe, and enthusiastic" -- others for what they weren't -- a vindication of the Iraq war and the subsequent surge. Most assessments thus far have been premature. After all, it is one thing to vote, it is quite another to accept the results. The real test for Iraq's fledgling democracy will be Already, in Anbar province, one of Iraq's literal "battleground states," threats of violence abound amid allegations of fraud. Ahmed abu Risha, leader of one of the famed "awakening councils," has said that if the Iraqi Islamic Party, which currently governs the province, ends up winning, Anbar will look like "Darfur." It is an odd analogy for an Arab politician to use, but one that may very well be apt.
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