The U.S. strategy is to water down the document rather than to strengthen it.

189

For many months the US was standoffish from this reform process, which is odd, since reform of the United Nations is a US priority. What the US is finding once again is that as maddening as it can be, the UN is a necessary forum for us - and it will work better if we work to get certain changes done.

189

The White House is drawing attention to this election, betting that it will be successful and it can point to this as another benchmark in the transition to fuller Iraqi sovereignty.

163

The key issue is the degree to which certain Sunnis can meet their demands through the ballot box rather than through a resort to arms.

103