In Iraq, the country’s National Assembly failed to agree on a new constitution by Monday’s deadline, but legislators have extended the deadline an extra week. Key differences remain over the role of Islam, women’s rights and whether the Shiites and Kurds will be allowed to form autonomous regions in the south and the north. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Bush administration “pressured Iraqis” to agree on a draft “even for appearance’s sake so the political process seemed on track.” On Monday, the US Ambassador to Iraq — Zalmay Khalilzad–sat in on the National Assembly to observe the negotiations. Over the weekend he submitted his own draft of a constitution. After Monday’s deadline passed, Khalilzad blamed the country’s recent sandstorm for the delay. He said QUOTE “We recognize that the three days lost because of the recent sandstorm set back the schedule of deliberations.” If a constitution is not agreed to by next week it would throw Iraq into a political crisis. Under the U.S.-written transitional law, if the constitution is not agreed to on time, the national assembly would be dissolved. Iraq would then have to hold new elections and start the political process all over again.