Ongoing Political Deadlock Spurs Iraqi Civil Activists
Iraqis headed to the polls six times in 10 years, and they continue to live in a society that is insecure and has an inadequate infrastructure and deepening gap between the different groups.
![IRAQ/ A woman dips her finger in ink while voting during the Iraq's provincial elections at a polling station in Ramadi, 100 km (62 miles) west of Baghdad, June 20, 2013. REUTERS/Ali al-Mashhadani (IRAQ - Tags - Tags: ELECTIONS POLITICS) - RTX10ULJ](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2013/08/iraq%281%29.jpg/iraq%281%29.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=7x0hB6IS)
Iraqis have reached a “complete deadlock.” Nearly 10 years after the beginning of the political process, during which they headed to the polls six times, Iraqis find themselves in a closed circle, unable to break free because of the failure that plagues their political system. This has affected security, services and — most important — it has deepened the gap between the different segments of Iraqi society. This country, which has long been characterized by coexistence, had never experienced such a divide until the US invasion of Iraq in April 2003.
Americans took on the role of the impartial intermediary until December 2011 — the date of their withdrawal from Iraq. Meanwhile, political divisions intensified after the 2010 elections, which ended with the renewal of the mandate of current Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, after a marathon of arduous negotiations that lasted for 10 months.