War-scarred Baghdad places little faith in U.S. election

By Sebastian Meyer, Special to CNN

Updated 1052 GMT (1852 HKT) October 12, 2012

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An Iraqi policeman stands guard at a checkpoint in central Baghdad. It has been 10 months since U.S. combat troops left, but it is far from peace time in Iraq.

Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad

Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – An Iraqi policeman stands guard at a checkpoint in central Baghdad. It has been 10 months since U.S. combat troops left, but it is far from peace time in Iraq.

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The Iraq Body Count project estimates that seven people have been killed every single day by suicide and car bomb attacks this year.

Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad

Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – The Iraq Body Count project estimates that seven people have been killed every single day by suicide and car bomb attacks this year.

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Markets in Baghdad (this one in 2010) are sometimes held in the shadows of blast walls in an effort to prevent suicide car bombings.

Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad

Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – Markets in Baghdad (this one in 2010) are sometimes held in the shadows of blast walls in an effort to prevent suicide car bombings.

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Iraqi women walk past vendors at the Safafir Market in Baghdad on April 4, 2012. Although violence is down in recent years, Meyer says kidnapping and assassinations are part of daily life in the capital.

Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad

Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – Iraqi women walk past vendors at the Safafir Market in Baghdad on April 4, 2012. Although violence is down in recent years, Meyer says kidnapping and assassinations are part of daily life in the capital.

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People enjoy an afternoon at the Al-Shah Bender Cafe, one of the oldest tea shops -- and a legendary gathering place for Iraqi artists and writers -- in Baghdad in 2011.

Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad

Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – People enjoy an afternoon at the Al-Shah Bender Cafe, one of the oldest tea shops -- and a legendary gathering place for Iraqi artists and writers -- in Baghdad in 2011.

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Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad

Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – Cars choke traffic-clogged Baghdad streets, which are pinched every few miles by military checkpoints.

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While checkpoints are a daily reminder of the ever-present danger in Baghdad, Meyer says newer, flashier cars on the road are a reminder of a swelling middle class in Baghdad thanks to record oil revenues.

Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad

Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – While checkpoints are a daily reminder of the ever-present danger in Baghdad, Meyer says newer, flashier cars on the road are a reminder of a swelling middle class in Baghdad thanks to record oil revenues.

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Meyer says even with the oil exports, new cars, and imported fashions, basic services in Baghdad are still terrible. On average Baghdadis receive eight to 12 hours of national electricity a day.

Photos: Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad

Election 2012: Postcard from Baghdad – Meyer says even with the oil exports, new cars, and imported fashions, basic services in Baghdad are still terrible. On average Baghdadis receive eight to 12 hours of national electricity a day.

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