As Operation Iraqi Freedom officially ends this month, Iraq’s government still struggles hard to provide on the most basic services: electricity. Iraq now has elections, yet, Baghdad had only five hours of electricity a day. A benchmark of progress, the failure to provide electricity for the Iraqis ultimately implies a dysfunctional government that is unresponsive to popular will. The chronic power shortage is a result of various factors, especially corruption.
Iraqis continue to be frustrated over Iraq’s ability to function as nation. The difficulty today is whether voters can force their leaders to act, and if Iraq can sustain itself will get worse as America continues to disengage.
READ MORE ABOUT AMERICA’S LEGACY IN IRAQ AT NYT.COM
READ MORE ABOUT HOW ELECTRICITY IN IRAQ COULD HAVE HELPED BRING PEACE IN IRAQ
