1.  Look at the map of Iraq - click here.  Saddam Hussein's Baathist party that ruled Iraq was controlled by Sunni Arabs.  What percentage of the population are Sunni Arabs?  What percentage of the population are Sunni Kurds?  What percent of the population are Shiites (Shia Muslims)?

2.  Which groups will gain the most in the upcoming Iraqi election?

3.  How will the insurgents (mostly Sunnis) hurt themselves if they carry through with their threats to disrupt the elections?

4.  How many seats are there in the Iraqi National Assembly?  How many candidates are running for those seats?  How many different political parties do the candidates come from?

5.  What will be the goal of the new government?  If they meet their deadline, what will be done at the end of 2005?

6.  There are approximately 25 million people in Iraq.  Aprroximately 10 million are under the age of 18 (voting age).  How many people does the election commission estimate will vote?  How many people do you think will vote? [Follow the upcoming election to note the percentage of people eligible to vote who actually do so.]

7.  Name the top 6 political parties listed in the article.

8.  How do you think the election will affect stability in Iraq? Explain your answer.