Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #IraqElections2018
Most recents (2)
#Iraq: Unofficial election results show big loss for SOL of former PM Maliki. Also lost big time is al-Hikma of S. Ammar al-Hakim. Sadr Movement’s alliance strategy succeeded in adding more gains to those guaranteed by traditional loyalty. (1)
PM Abadi is a close winner, thanks to incumbency factor, use of gov. resources, & alliance wiyh big fish. But still, nowhere near how Maliki performed with same advantages in 2014. PM Abadi will need to make very painful compromises to secure 2nd term. (2)
The Fath (PMFs) coalition performed as expected. Popularity acquired by fighting against ISIS paid off very handsomely. Along with the Sadr Movement, they will have a special seat at the negotiation table. (3)
1/ In the wake of the @nytimes piece on today's #Iraq, nyti.ms/2IdMaJa, here is my bird's eye view of the #IraqElections2018 in the context of the standoff between #Iran and the US in the region..../2
2/ As I have stated most recently in @ForeignPolicy here, bit.ly/2jPaYZw, Iraq has seen a convergence of Iranian and US interests since 2003. This has led to a degree of mutual accommodation, despite the fact that each has wanted to get rid of the other's presence....3/
3/ They each have their favorites, but they also each have tried to sway the middle, and to pursue their interests playing the middle. And whoever has been in the middle became a consummate juggler for as long as they could: Jaafari, Maliki, Abadi, and whoever is up next.../4
