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Mullahing Options

Always a tad skittish, Moqtada Al-Sadr would like to divide and conquer but his appetite for battle has always been limited. Sadr, via AFP, he didn’t really mean it about open war. And if he did, that only applies to the occupier. 

Here, the AP frets about the al-Sadr threat, particularly the potential for Iran to play both sides.  Note senior Mahdi Army commanders telling AP they are arming up with new Iranian rockets. You’d think this, along with prior reporting on the subject by the AP and others, would mean the AP could dispense with the obligatory “Iran denies the accusations” and move on to “Iran is full of it,” but apparently not. For all the fretting, the AP notes at the end that this may be an uncomfortable situation for Iran.  Maybe because while influencing with threats, posturing and low-grade thuggishness works for Iran, the mullahs recognize committing to open war could end badly for them … in Iraq and in the United States, where they’ve managed to convince some people they are a partner for peace. 

As unpleasant as the prospect of open war is, for the American and Iraqi soldiers who would have to fight it, and for the Iraqi civilians who would be caught in the middle, the reduction of Iranian proxies in Iraq is long overdue and would be a welcome event. It is probably the last thing Iran wants, which is why it probably won’t happen. Iran playing both sides, by the way, isn’t exactly a “potential.” Iranian FM via Tehran Times:  Iran backs Iraq’s crackdown on armed groups. Arms belong in the Iraqi government’s hands only.

Here’s the payoff on the current low level of engagement. Washington Post: Rocket attacks on the Green Zone drop sharply. The article notes that the U.S. would also like to divide and conquer in Sadr City, but according to the limited anecdotal account here, no luck.

Meanwhile, the Brits, noting prematureness of their exit lack-of-strategy, put withdrawal plans on hold.  Too bad about the Australians.  Nice about Basra, though. Poligazette observes what a Mahdi Army victory looks like. Never stop winning, Moqtada.

In other business, Surber notes ironic victory in the Berklification of Iraq.

Topics: Iraq, Iran

  Posted by Jules Crittenden at 9:19 am on Friday, April 25, 2008

One Response to “Mullahing Options”

1. tanstaafl Says:
   April 25th, 2008 at 10:44 am

   Mookie has always played to the moment of whatever circumstances prevailed at the time.

   For the long term, he is completely untrustworthy. Any deals concluded with him could and would be abrogated at any time.

   psssttt Want some good news from Basra ?

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