TIME: Springtime for Arab Democracy? Photo Essay (1)

Finally rid of Saddam’s regime, Iraqis got to vote on January 31. Despite the U.S. role in overthrowing the dictatorship, the Iraqi electorate handed victory to a moderate Islamist coalition historically closer to Iran than to the United States. The Shiite coalition will nominate Ibrahim al-Jaafari (pictured) for prime minister. The Bush administration has vowed to accept the democratic choices of the Iraqi voters.

JOE RAEDLE / GETTY IMAGES

Springtime for Arab Democracy?: In Beirut, Baghdad, Ramallah, Cairo and Riyadh, the pressure for democratic reforms grows. The results are sometimes surprising

Regime Change
Finally rid of Saddam’s regime, Iraqis got to vote on January 31. Despite the U.S. role in overthrowing the dictatorship, the Iraqi electorate handed victory to a moderate Islamist coalition historically closer to Iran than to the United States. The Shiite coalition will nominate Ibrahim al-Jaafari (pictured) for prime minister. The Bush administration has vowed to accept the democratic choices of the Iraqi voters.


	1 of 5