Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani has begun to air his fears over the January elections in Iraq, claiming that the Shi'a majority will be under-represented. His primary fear centers on supposedly American-backed parties forming an overarching coalition in order to squelch the Shi'ite majority's political power in a new democratic government (registration required):

Ayatollah Sistani, who earlier this year sent tens of thousands of Iraqis into the streets to demand early elections, is said to be worried that a "consensus list" of candidates from the larger political parties would artificially limit the power of the Shiites, who form a majority in the country.

...

According to an Iraqi close to Ayatollah Sistani who spoke at length with him last weekend, the ayatollah is so upset about the prospect that the Shiites might be underrepresented that he is prepared to withdraw his support for the elections if his concerns are not addressed. It is unclear, however, what specific demands he has made.

This is yet another strike against the possibility of January elections. Al-Sistani has immense power within Iraq and his influence reaches much further than many imagine. His support among the Shi'ite majority within Iraq is undeniable and unwavering. With a wave of a hand he was able to send thousands of Shi'a into the streets to demand early elections earlier this year and later was able to command fellow Shi'ite Muqtada al-Sadr to stand down in Fallujah, furthering the Grand Ayatollah's power exponentially. If al-Sistani is not firmly behind the Iraqi electoral process, there's a good chance nearly a half of the Iraqi population will not be either. Combine that with 'no-go' zones where voting is impossible due to abysmal security situations, and the January election date becomes nothing more than an illusion.

However, the US must be wary when and if it makes concessions. Al-Sistani may be spot on in fearing the suppression of the Shi'a vote since the US is rightfully afraid that the Shi'a will dominate the government of Iraq and set a radical theocracy in place. One must fear the ramifications of a Shi'a-controlled government because Iraq's neighbor, Iran, is also predominantly Shi'ite and would love nothing more than a partnership with a new, burdgeoning Shi'a power in the region in order to even the balance of power with Israel. Such a partnership could lead to even further destabalization in the region and the continuing emergence of terror cells bent on destroying the West. The situation in Iraq has passed the point of serious; it is now dire.

More at Digital Dissent.