Ayad Allawi writes:  This election represents a critical moment — for Iraq but also for America, Britain and the coalition that liberated the country from Saddam. The Iraqi people want and deserve a future where real, tangible progress is being made to better their lives, and where they and their children and grandchildren can look forward to a brighter tomorrow. And it is imperative that the Western nations understand that this is a moment when all their efforts and sacrifices can result in a new kind of democratic dynamic in the Middle East; the alternative is that Iraq lapses back into a sectarian political quagmire that will place renewed pressure on the US to maintain a military involvement that nobody wants. The US, Britain and their allies can help to salvage Iraq’s nascent democracy by sending a strong message that only free, fair and inclusive elections are acceptable. There must be extra scrutiny of the election to ensure that the will of the people is served. Democracy only works if the public has faith in the system and those that occupy high office. On Sunday Iraqis have an opportunity to reaffirm the power of democracy. It must not be missed. – Times of London

The Economist’s pre-election brief

The Carnegie Endowment’s pre-election brief

Foreign Policy magazine’s pre-election brief

Foreign Affairs’ Q&A with Reidar Vissar