1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated January 20, 2022Iraq and U.S. Policy Violence Shadows Post-Election Talks Iraq held a national election on October 10, 2021, with voters selecting 329 members for the unicameral legislature, the Council of Representatives (COR). The COR elects Iraqs president
2、and approves the prime ministers program and cabinet nominees. The election results are informing negotiations among political groups to identify the new CORs “largest bloc,” which nominates the prime minister. The largest bloc may or may not include the coalition or party that won the most COR seat
3、s. Past government formation talks have taken months to resolve. Election observers judged that officials administered the election fairly, amid low turnout and some boycotts. Recounts did not result in major changes and courts ruled against some parties claims of electoral malfeasance. Some Iran-al
4、igned groups engaged in confrontational protests and have intimated that violence could result if Iraqs next government excludes them. Unnamed Iraqi officials attributed a November 2021 drone attack on the prime ministers residence to Iran-aligned Iraqi militia, but militia leaders and Iranian offic
