Replies

Yup, it caused some problems, but I think politically, it was hugely important. It put a lie to the claim that Maliki and the Iraq government is an American puppet. Maliki acted in his nation's national interest. He showed Kurds and Sunnis that the Iraq government is not a Shia operation, it's an Iraq operation out to create an environment of security for all Iraqis.

Did the Iraqi Army and police bungle some things? Yup ... and your point is? They performed above expectations. They lost fewer desertions to Mookie than people would have thought. They fought, died and killed Shia militia. The people of Basra supported the Iraqi Army. This success emboldens Iraqi government supporters in places like Sadr City, Najaf and Karbala, where Mookie has his Mahdi Army.

Big success, congrats to the Iraqi Army, Maliki and the American Armed Forces, who made this all possible.

I originally stated:
"Not involving non-Iraqis in the decision caused some problems, but as an Iraqi and Shia leader's decision it appeared to have it's purposes."

You reply to me began with:
"Yup, it caused some problems."

Then, you questioned:
"Did the Iraqi Army and police bungle some things? Yup ... and your point is?"

Let me fix that question for you:
"Did the Iraqi Army and police bungle some things? Yup ... and ~~your~~ my point is?

Maybe you confused my post with a posting that followed mine, I just want to make clear that I agree with you that the "bungle" stuff is relatively unimportant given the gains you later detailed. That aside, thanks for expanding on my point, i.e. "but as an Iraqi and Shia leader's decision it appeared to have it's purposes". You explained those "purposes" better than I could have.