With continued chaos in Iraq, the country's Kurds find that independence may now be within their grasp.
Category: Middle East
Blair, Iraq and Afghanistan
The successful conduct of an election in Afghanistan provides an interesting counterpoint to Tony Blair's call for a new intervention in Iraq.
Elections in doubtful countries
Kosovo and South Ossetia have both held parliamentary elections. In each case, the fundamental issue is their status as independent countries.
A lacklustre victory for Egypt’s general
Egypt's military ruler is confirmed as president, but despite his efforts the turnout shows a lack of voter enthusiasm.
Belated election preview: Iraq
This week's Iraqi parliamentary election will probably be just the start of an extended period of coalition-building, with incumbent Nouri al-Maliki seen to be strongly placed.
End of the Arab Spring, part III: Syria
Syria is where the Arab Spring really came to grief, and its example is a powerful deterrent to other anti-government movements.
End of the Arab Spring, part II: Egypt
Egypt's presidential election looks like a foregone conclusion. It could all have been very different, and therefore so could the Arab Spring.
End of the Arab Spring, part I: Algeria
This disappointed hopes of the Arab Spring were on show in last week's one-sided election in Algeria.
Turkey and Russia: compare and contrast
Turkish local elections give its ruling party a vote of confidence, doing little to allay fears of growing authoritarianism. Vladimir Putin's Russia looks increasingly like a role model.
Election news from around the world
This week in our semi-regular roundup: news from Serbia, Slovakia, El Salvador, Maldives and Algeria.
The World is Not Enough 