Iraq has a serious problem with the Kurds. OK, that's an oxymoron, as Iraq has had problems with its Kurds since Iraq was cobbled together from parts of the defunct Turkish empire in the 1920s. One of the three provinces, the northern, largely Kurdish one, was originally part of the Turkish homeland.

A strong turnout from Iraq's Kurds in national elections on Sunday has enhanced their status of kingmakers in forming the central government, with preliminary voting results expected within 24 hours.

Yesterday's elections in Iraq appear to have gone smoothly, and preliminary estimates suggest 55–60% turnout. Now, however, the rough patch will begin. Early estimates suggest incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki won perhaps a third of the vote with former interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi second. Neither, however, came close to a majority. Maliki may have won just one-third. Now the horse-trading will begin.

BAGHDAD- Iraqi authorities counted votes on Monday, a day after a parliamentary election that Islamist militants tried to disrupt with attacks that killed 38 people.Preliminary results were not expected for another day or two in a poll that Iraqis sickened by years of violence hope will help bring stability and better governance as U.S. troops leave.

London- The voting outside of iraq started yesterday with many irregularities and conflicting rules. This led in many countries that host a large Kurdish and Iraqi community. In Manchester the authorities were forces to close the polling station after some fights between the voters and the IHEC employees. In Wembly London the situation was not better, where Police arrested a dozen of voters and some epmloyees of IHEC. [VIDEO]

Amsterdam- In an interview with Radio Curdonia, Michael Rubin a resident scholar at American enterprise institute gave his insight about the developments in Iraqi Kurdistan. Michael Rubin spent several years teaching at Iraqi Kurdistan universities. He made the headlines after his critical essay in Washington Post, criticizing Kurdish leadership and the corruption practices of their party.
 Audio Michael Rubin

LONDON – For the new Gorran movement led by Nawshirwan Mustafa the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections will prove whether or not it could come to regard itself as en established party within the framework of Kurdish politics.

(Audio) Raz Jabary

AMSTERDAM-Tonight the guest of Radio Curdonia, Gorran Kurdish parliamentarian Adnan Osman. He has made controversial statements around the Kurdish forces Peshmergas. He stamped them as militias, according to the ruling parties KDP and PUK.

SULEIMANI- The situation is tensed in Suleimani after some fights erupted yesterday between Gorran and PUK supporters. The contra-terror unit started shootings to disperse the crowed wounding four Gorran supporters and arrested more.