Iraq on the Eve of National Elections: A Discussion with Ambassador Christopher Hill
With national elections just around the corner on March 7, Iraq once again finds itself at a critical crossroads in determining what sort of society it wants and the extent to which truly representative politics will be central to that concept. Ambassador Christopher Hill offered his remarks.
With national elections just around the corner on March 7, Iraq once again finds itself at a critical crossroads in determining what sort of society it wants and the extent to which truly representative politics will be central to that concept. Given the importance of a successful election to its plan for full withdrawal by 2012, so does the United States. A positive bar was set by provincial elections in January 2009 but the path since has been very bumpy indeed, with a rancorous election law debate, attempts to exclude large numbers of candidates and ongoing terrorist attacks that threaten stability and the credibility of the Iraqi government. Can Iraq carry this event off safely and fairly? What is the role of the U.S. and the international community in assisting? What are the challenges to forming a stable government in the aftermath?
Ambassador Hill offered remarks on these and other issues critical to Iraq's future.
Speakers
- Ambassador Christopher Hill
United States Ambassador to Iraq - Dr. Richard H. Solomon, Introductory Remarks
President, United States Institute of Peace - William B. Taylor, Moderator
Vice President, Center for Post-Conflict Peace and Stability Operations, United States Institute of Peace
