As the final results were made available, it seemed that Iraq had managed its second free and fair election. But the achievement also serves to highlight how far the country has to go. Iraqi politicians do not like losing, and many appear more concerned with their own welfare than the country's.
What Iraq has achieved by becoming a democracy cannot be overstated, but it is not an end in itself. Democracy is only useful if a participatory form of government allows disagreements to be settled in a civilised fashion; conversely, it can do more harm than good if the losers take their grievances to the streets rather than admit defeat.
Unfortunately, it seems that this is exactly what the prime minister Nouri al Maliki is trying to do. He did it during the campaign by equating a vote for Sunni candidates as a vote for Baathists. And he is doing it now by insinuating that Ayad Allawi, whose Iraqiyya coalition won the most seats in parliament, is the Trojan horse that the Baathists will ride to power.
Neither is correct, but the memories of Saddam Hussein's brutalities are fresh enough to inspire fear in the hearts of many Shiite voters.
Mr al Maliki is desperate after coming in second place. He probably would not survive politically if his Dawa party moves to the opposition. He will be prime minister or nothing. That, however, is a poor excuse for trying to scare Iraqis into restoring him to office.
And the prime minister is not the only one clinging to power through fear-mongering. The Iraqi National Alliance (INA), dominated by religious groups and followers of the young firebrand Muqtada al Sadr, engaged in some shameless attempts to shape the election. Ali al Lami, one of the INA's candidates, used the Justice and Accountability commission to ban hundreds of candidates for supposed Baathist connections.
Nor are the apparent victors, the allies of Mr Allawi, above reproach. The vote almost did not happen because of petty brinkmanship on the part of Tariq al Hashemi. The Sunni vice president tried to rig the vote on technicalities, almost unravelling years of careful negotiations and threatening a constitutional crisis.
Iraqis have risked and suffered much in the past seven years. Their leaders must finally give them the government they long for and deserve. The stakes are too high for this petty squabbling to continue.
Captain Marvel
Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn
4/5 stars
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)