"Look for the person who will benefit, and, uh, uh..."

Initial results have been reported across a number of media outlets.

The Washington Post ledes:

BAGHDAD, Dec. 19 -- Initial results of Iraq's national election from more than half the country's provinces brought a strong showing by Shiite and Kurdish parties, Iraq's electoral commission announced Monday, underscoring the secular divisions of the country.

Professor Cole gets the nod for the following link:

The Guardian:

Suspected polling violations on voting day last week far exceeded the number in Iraq's first election in January, local and international monitors said yesterday.
On the deadline for filing complaints, the number of alleged violations which could swing results in the 275-seat parliament was "well into double figures", an accredited international election observer, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

In January there were only five of these "red" complaints, the observer added. Red complaints are alleged breaches serious enough to potentially hand a seat to a party or election bloc unfairly.

There is a lot riding on this election for America. There is a lot riding on it for Islamist Shiite and Iran as well.