A Chequer-Board of Nights and Days

I am relatively impressed with the document, though if it has a fault, it might be that it is somewhat vague in its pronouncements. To be sure, a constitution can perhaps afford to be a little vague, but that will mean that the supplemental civil laws will have to be quite specific. Expect the next battle to be over the shape of supplemental legislation. It will be quite important.

The battle over Islamic influence appears to have been resolved--at least in this draft--by making Islam "a basis" for legislation rather than "the basis." We should expect the former, given that Iraq is an Islamic country. The latter would cause more concern. Right now, as things stand, I have little cause to believe that Iraq is veering towards becoming an Islamic republic, though certainly we should guard against the possibility.