Opinion: Iraq's vital vote. Ready or not, Iraqis will be holding elections on Jan. 30 for a national assembly to select a new government and draft a constitution. Unfortunately, Iraqis are not ready to go to the polls. Not only is a lack of basic security sure to reduce turnout in certain areas; the fear induced by the attacks of militants and criminal gangs has made it impossible to hold the mass rallies and public speeches that are indispensable to electoral campaigning. (Boston Globe)