Political Analysis How the Iraqi Elections Will Affect U.S. Policy January 31, 2005 • NPR's Cokie Roberts talks about what the apparent success of the vote in Iraq will mean for U.S. policy. The president goes to Congress on Wednesday night to deliver his State of the Union Address, in which he's expected to discuss his plans for an "ownership society," and his plans to overhaul Social Security.
World Boycott Efforts Successful in Many Sunni Areas January 31, 2005 • Turnout in the predominantly Sunni areas of Iraq was by most estimates extremely low. Tony Perry of the Los Angeles Times says clerical calls to boycott the elections and insurgent threats kept many potential voters away.
World U.N. Representative: Iraqi Elections Appeared Fair, Transparent January 31, 2005 • Ashraf Qazi, U.N. special representative for Iraq, talks about Sunday's election in Iraq. Qazi says the Iraqi election process, despite a difficult security situation, appears to have been held in a transparent manner.
World Editor: Arabs Will Judge Election on Whether Iraq Regains Sovereignty January 31, 2005 • Rami Khouri, executive editor of the Lebanese paper The Daily Star, talks about how the Arab world is reacting to Sunday's election.
World Kurdish Officials Begin Counting Ballots January 31, 2005 • In the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, security officials reported no attacks during Sunday's election. Rival Kurdish factions joined forces for the national election to make the Kurds a potentially powerful political force in future Iraqi politics.
World In Najaf, Voter Turnout High January 31, 2005 • In the predominately Shiite city of Najaf, south of Baghdad, voters turned out in large numbers. Some walked several miles to polling places. The Shiia religious leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani rallied Shiite Muslims to cast ballots in this election, though some voters said they were casting ballots for secular leaders.
National Coast Guard Rolls Out Safety and Security Teams January 31, 2005 • The Coast Guard has been creating maritime security teams as part of a post-Sept. 11 shift. The creation of these teams reflects a significant retooling of the Coast Guard's mission.
World Expert: Iraq Neighbors Will Take Wait-and-See Attitude January 31, 2005 • Rachel Bronson discusses how Sunday's election in Iraq will affect the region. Bronson is director of Middle East and Gulf Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, and she says Iraq's neighbors are taking a wait-and-see approach.
The Unger Report Off-Topic at Bush's State of the Union January 31, 2005 • With President Bush set to deliver his State of the Union address on Wednesday, Day to Day cracked correspondent and resident humorist Brian Unger offers a list of topics he's pretty sure the president won't touch.
Opinion Analysis Roundtable: Rice Confirmed, Michael Jackson Trial January 31, 2005 • NPR's Ed Gordon hosts a discussion about the confirmation of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, black leaders' meeting with President Bush, aid to Africa and tsunami aid, and the upcoming trial of pop icon Michael Jackson.
World Lawmakers Weigh in on Iraqi Elections January 31, 2005 • Sen. Russ Feingold, (D-WI), and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) talk about how Iraq election will affect congressional support of President Bush's foreign policy. Feingold is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Ros-Lehtinen is the Republican chair of the House International Relations' Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia.
State of the Union, 2005 Democrats Offer State of the Union 'Pre-Buttal' January 31, 2005 • The top two Democrats in Congress, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, unveil what they called a "pre-buttal" in advance of President Bush's State of the Union address, which will be given Wednesday evening.
World Iraqi Election Commissioner Safwat Rashid January 31, 2005 • NPR's Alex Chadwick talks with Iraqi Election Commissioner Safwat Rashid about the surprisingly high turnout for Sunday's vote, and what he sees in Iraq's future.
World Millions Go to Polls in Iraqi Election January 31, 2005 • NPR's Alex Chadwick talks with NPR's Emily Harris, reporting from Baghdad, about the aftermath of Sunday's elections in Iraq. Millions turned out to the polls, despite widespread fears of violence against voters.
World Mideast, European Reaction to Iraqi Vote January 31, 2005 • NPR's Eric Weiner reports on the media reaction in Europe and the Middle East to Sunday's vote in Iraq.
