[Tennessean4Bush]

LWJ ping

[Williams]

Even Charles Krauthammer (sp?) bought into the Maliki is weaker logic, although it seemed Brit Hume was surprised at that reading. It really seems to me the media analysts have sold us a huge pile of bull on this. The Maliki move had some problematic side effects, but was a major step in the right direction.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Interesting...

Only until recently, al Sadr was considered untouchable.

[Squidpup]

Interesting related editorial:
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/will-iraq-stoke-flames-of-islamic-messianism/

[rockinqsranch]

Marked for later read.

[timer]

Al Sadr is a coward living the life of luxury in a foreign country, only idiots die for him...

[lormand]

This ass-clown is hiding in Iran. Don’t you just love those brave Islamists?

[tobyhill]

****ROBERTSON: Many people say that this has actually weakened you because it set back security in Basra, it set back security in Sadr City, that you've been obligated to the Iranian government for resolving this. This makes you weaker the critics say.

AL-MALIKI: [Laughing] This is one of the issues that media outlets should look into thoroughly. Before we launched the operation in Basra, the ports were completely under the control of these militias, smuggling was a routine, burglary and looting were also ongoing. Now Basra is back as a city under the control of the state, and its inhabitants are optimistic now about what the state can do for them. Now and for the first time Iraqis stand strong by their state after they saw the state take a decisive stand against this gang that is on cornered and on the run. These facts? The state came out with the maximum power, nationalism, popular and national support that expressed itself, and for the first time, the one who is cornered and defeated is this gang. A decision was taken yesterday that they no longer have a right to participate in the political process or take part in the upcoming elections unless they end the Mehdi Army and the unanimous decision agreed on by the political powers today. And this is the first time political powers dare say this — the solution comes from dissolution, which means solving the problem comes in no other way other than dissolving the Mehdi Army. This is a very important point, this government, previous governments or coalition forces were not able to achieve any decisive victory the way it was achieved here, and the way it came out of the battle with full support from all different sides.****

Robertson has got to be the biggest idiot alive. I wasn't a Maliki fan in the early days but he's really turning things around.

[Uncle Miltie]

When politics trumps guns, we’ve won. Hallelujah!

[bray]

More than 200 Mahdi Army fighters were killed, 700 were wounded, and 300 captured during the six days of fighting in Basrah alone.

Worth repeating over and over...

Pray for W and Our Victory Troops

[dixiechick2000]

I have to say that I’m pleasantly surprised at Maliki.

I hope he keeps this up.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Tennessean4Bush.