In the first parliamentary elections following the ouster of dictator Saddam Hussein, the Islamist Shi’a (partisans of Ali) United Iraqi Alliance wins 140 of the 255 seats in Parliament.  Also ran coalitions include:

• 75 seats, the pro-independence Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan; and
• 40 seats, the secular Shia Iraqi List.

The Sunni (legacy of Mohammed) parties boycotted the election.

       Clearly the Islamic Republic of Iran—reviled enemy of the United states—has emerged at the elections and the ongoing Iraqi-American War.

       NOTES:

• So ended the U.s.’ 22nd attempt at nation building, bringing its total success/failure record to (successes, 1; failures, 19; and one toss-up).
• While “nation-building is a laudable goal, Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution for the united States says that “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government”; it does NOT state that “The United States shall guarantee to every nation on this planet a Republican Form of Government” [emphasis added].

       [added 1/7/2024]