The permanent campaign

With the U.S. presidential election over, are you going through campaign withdrawal? Why not look overseas to get your fix?

2009 will see elections in Afghanistan and Iran, which will be vital to the Obama Administration’s hopes for progress in that region. Israel and the Palestinian Authority will hold elections which will determine the course of the Israeli-Palestinian peace track, and serve as a referendum on Israel’s campaign in Gaza. In Sudan, there will be the first election campaign in 20 years — an important milestone for the country’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement, but also a possible spur for political violence.

So check out our new list of the most important elections of 2009. (Sadly Palin-free.)

Photo: Majid/Getty Images