Iraqi votes being counted, but new govt months away:
Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki, who is seeking a third term in power, has said he is "Certain" Of victory but to retain the top job he must court disaffected parties within his own Shiite community, as well as Sunnis and Kurds who have angrily voiced opposition to his rule. Ref. Source 6
Iraq's Economy Collapsing Under Pressure of Security Crisis:
One of the untold stories of the fighting in Iraq is the effect it is having upon the country's economy. Almost two million internally displaced people, the loss of agricultural land in northern Iraq, foreign investors being scared off, the decline in trade, the collapse of several internal markets, and depleted financial reserves have all been reported in the press. Ref. Source 7