Those four years are going to be rough. The key to free elections is not just holding them, but the responses of the participants. Will they mutter and gripe, say they were robbed, and work on the next election, like they do in the U.S.? Or will they pick up guns?

I was pleasantly surprised when most of the Sunnis pretty much took their loss on the constitution in stride, and redoubled their efforts to win in December. But if they lose then?

There are many parliamentary nations where certain factions have accepted almost permanent minority status, but don't turn to violence. I hope this is true for Iraq, too.

Meanwhile, serious military progress is being made in the West, but you don't see anything except casualty figures from much of the media.