[JasonC]

The interesting angle, that he just alludes to really, is the idea that the cease fire in Fallujah was an implicit threat to Sistani and company. It told them, essentially, "we can make a deal with the Sunnis and bring back a Sunni strongman from Baathist days, if you insist on making trouble". That was a new take on it to me, and makes sense. Sistani's interests are all on the side of keeping things reasonably quiet until a handover of power - our interests too.

[RedEyeJack]

Thats how I read it too... fills in a missing piece of the puzzle that obviously cannot be publicized without effecting the planned end-state... This young soldier is one very sharp man (or woman?). Stands head and shoulders above many political "leaders" in this country.