Iraq Elections:

Here's are some questions I have been asking myself.  What is the role of elections if the state is in failure?  If the elections bring in a new government that can't revive the state, what will that mean?  We need to remember that this election is going to be a demonstration of the value of democracy.  A failed demonstration would have negative consequences. 

-- John Robb's quick analysis of the Iraq election.

The comments on his site are worth reading (as his site generally)