After a 15-month occupation, Iraq has regained its sovereignty. However, many question the viability of the new government in a nation rife with civil conflict and bloodshed.

Paul Bremer, head of the Iraqi Coalition Provisional Authority, flew out of Iraq Monday after handing over power to the interim Iraqi government in a clandestine ceremony. Although the new government has gained more support from Iraqis, many people believe this isn’t the end of tough times.

“I applaud the transfer of power, but I regret that the secrecy surrounding its scheduling, as well as the general lack of security in Iraq, means that most ordinary Iraqis had little opportunity to celebrate the event,” said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, in a release Monday.

In a radio address last week, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said he believed there would be more violence as the handover date approached. Grassley said he had faith in the interim government, but thought there were some tough times down the road.

Richard Mansbach, professor of political science, said he did not think the violence would end after the interim government took power.

“It’s going to continue to be bloody,” Mansbach said.

The essentials, he said, which include the more than 100,000 soldiers still quartered in Iraq, along with the American role in how Iraq is governed, would be similar to rule under the Provisional Authority.

“I’m not sure it’s going to change, but it’s a helpful step most of us expect,” he said.

James McCormick, professor and chairman of political science, said the interim government has greater autonomy than the Provisional Authority had.

He said it was important for the government to establish legitimacy in Iraq.

McCormick said the government would have to build legitimacy through the day-to-day operations of running the government and providing security for the people.

“All of these routine elements of government will be a real test,” he said. “[The government] has to strengthen and determine itself.”

Earlier Monday, the interim government and the United States were lent a hand when the North Atlantic Treaty Association pledged assistance with training Iraqi security forces. McCormick said the NATO endorsement was important to the future of the new government.

Harkin said although the endorsement bolstered the government, the Bush administration has still underestimated the security risks in the country.

“Despite new assurances from NATO to provide military training for Iraqi security forces, I am afraid American troops will continue to bear the burden for many months to come,” he said.

Mansbach said he thought the United States will continue to have a profound impact on the government in Iraq. John Negroponte, who will be the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, has had similar experience, Mansbach said.

Negroponte helped keep the government in Honduras operating while it was in the middle of civil war.

“The ballgame is going to be [operated] out of the U.S. embassy,” he said.