A time of hope and the promise of a better future

With last Sunday's elections, Iraqis closed another chapter in their troubled history. For the past 50 years, Iraq has rarely seen political stability.

In fact, during these years, the country has lived through the worst period of its modern history. A series of military coups, which subjected Iraqis to different political trends and ideologies, turned the country into a dangerous mine-field.

During this period, Iraq's relationship with the outside world went through tough and turbulent times. Perhaps the country's relationship with its neighbours was the worst.

Both Iraq and its neighbours were aware of this entangled relationship a relationship that impacted their regional politics as well as their domestic affairs.

However, since April 2003, Iraq was subjected to new circumstances circumstances that changed the country's political direction and turned it into a totally new society. Many observers predicted a civil war that would not only destroy Iraq's unity but take it back into the Middle Ages.

Hopes of democracy, freedom and prosperity evaporated amid fear of terror and hostile reactions. At that time, none of these observers believed that this troubled country could one day reach a peaceful settlement and hold an accountable election. Sunday's elections proved that Iraq can stand on its own feet.

In the past 22 months, Iraq has gone through many phases, none of which were promising. Terrorism, anarchy and militancy have been frequent phenomena. They destroyed most of Iraq's basic infrastructure, and with it all hopes for a better future.

The majority of Iraqis still believe that little change has entered their lives since the ousting of the dictator Saddam Hussain.

This state of affairs led many Iraqis to question the legitimacy of the war and whether the Western promises of democracy, stability and economic prosperity, which still remain only a mirage, are going to be realised one day. This pessimistic attitude has produced many negative outcomes.

One major outcome is the anger stirring high among Iraqis against what they called "Western interference" in their internal affairs.

This anger will eventually lead not only to the growing anti- American sentiment (even though many still regard the United States as a friend), but also to a desperation that might destroy all hopes of a political recovery.

Free to decide

However, the election will give many Iraqis hope, and renew promises of a better future and freedom. It's not easy for the Iraqis, who for years were experiencing all kinds of political trends which ranged from Pan-Arabism to Communism and Islamism, to go back under the occupation of a country that for years was regarded as the "Great Satan".

Therefore, despite all the predictions which anticipate a secular government, it is clear that even this government still wants to see America and its allies out of Iraq.

Another outcome of Iraq's election is the growing belief that Saddam's era has finally ended, and they are now free to decide for themselves, without any fear and subjection.

Iraqis have finally realised that there will be no return of dictatorship and tyranny, and therefore, they have to cooperate among themselves to build a new Iraq.

Although many observers had claimed the opposite, and predicted a civil war that might threaten national unity, this new sentiment is proof that Iraqis will work together towards a new and united Iraq. The third outcome of this election is going to be a regional one.

The Arab Gulf will benefit from Iraq's political and economic stability. Any instability in Iraq will certainly spill over to the Gulf countries.

Therefore, without a stable Iraq, the GCC countries will risk seeing dangerous phenomena such as terrorism, militancy and instability.

It is obvious that all GCC countries are working together to keep Iraq free, united and politically stable, and therefore, wishing that this election will bring up a government that represents all Iraqis and will work along with other Gulf countries for a better future.

The fourth outcome of this election is an international one. With the advent of a locally elected Iraqi government, the roar over American invasion and interference in Iraq will finally be over.

Although the American invasion of Iraq will be a reminder of a superpower taking the law in its own hands, extending its influence and bringing other countries under its control, this election will finally give America a legitimate excuse to justify its interference.

The only question that remains unanswered at the end of Iraq's election is whether the United States, together with its Western allies, has the right to change any government and implement elections somewhere else in the world?

Iraq's wealth and its strategic location in the heart of the Arab World, was the driving force behind this political change.

This explains clearly why the United States was keen on toppling Saddam and implementing the democratic process in Iraq. It also explains the events in Iraq since April 9, 2003.

Dr Fatma Al Sayegh, History Department, UAE University, Al Ain