I agree it was quiet but never peaceful. We did a clever balancing act there but now Iran is pushing their influence there it is a different story.
Makali annoucned last week:
#1 If the blocks can not find a suitable person for the positions by next sunday, he would think about using his constituional mandate to appoint them (he then put the names out as feelers)
#2 Iraqi-led 'gloves-off' crackdown intended to target both AQ remants and insurgent factions. Wanted to wait until postions were filled to carry it out.