Editore"s Note
Tilting at Windmills

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April 1, 2008
By: Kevin Drum

THE OTHER SHOE....Via Marc Lynch, AFP reports on the latest from Basra and Baghdad:

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday ordered his security forces to stop random raids and arrests following a week of military assaults against militants loyal to Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

"The prime minister has ordered a halt to all kinds of raids and arrests without warrants," said a statement issued by Maliki's office.

He has, however, ordered his security forces to "deal strongly with any groups carrying arms in public."

This was #2 on the list of demands that Sadr issued on Sunday, so it looks as if Maliki has decided to accept Sadr's terms and pack up for now. More from Juan Cole here, who suggests that there's more to come between now and the October elections.

Kevin Drum 2:15 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (12)

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Comments

Think this will put an end to the speculation on various right-wing blogs that this was really a "victory" for Maliki?

Nah.

Posted by: PaulB on April 1, 2008 at 2:38 PM | PERMALINK

No.

Posted by: David W. on April 1, 2008 at 2:50 PM | PERMALINK

Once again, it appears the next six months will be critical.

Posted by: AJ on April 1, 2008 at 3:02 PM | PERMALINK

Is it my imagination, Kevin, or has your blog become an "All foreign policy, All the time" effort lately?

Posted by: Toast on April 1, 2008 at 3:25 PM | PERMALINK
He has, however, ordered his security forces to "deal strongly with any groups carrying arms in public."
Why does Maliki hate the 2nd Amendment? Since bush/mccain support, Maliki, why do THEY hate the 2nd amendment? I'm sure the NRA will be lobbying against mccain over this.

Posted by: G.Kerby on April 1, 2008 at 3:54 PM | PERMALINK

I'm sure the NRA will be lobbying against mccain over this.

I doubt if the NRA would care if the second amendment was rescinded for Muslims.

Posted by: AJ on April 1, 2008 at 4:17 PM | PERMALINK

from swimming freestyle:

"John McCain has admitted he's clueless when it comes to the economy. (Fear not - he's checked out Alan Greenspan's book from the library). He's made it pretty clear he intends to run on his military record and gung ho, never mind the facts, position on Iraq. That might be OK if he could just get the details right.

http://swimmingfreestyle.typepad.com

Posted by: Jay McDonough on April 1, 2008 at 5:37 PM | PERMALINK

The Iraqi's need warrants? Did the Bush Administration forget to tell them they don't need warrants?

Posted by: pessullivan on April 1, 2008 at 9:28 PM | PERMALINK

Maliki's attempt to rid himself of Sadr's militia in Basra came as a surprise to McCain. I wonder why?

The morning sessions here are focused quite a bit of doing, from the standpoint of focusing on security assessments in the post -- in the wake of the formation of the permanent government. This is an opportunity for the team to discuss with our team in Baghdad various operations that are going on, capabilities of Iraqi security forces and police security forces -- the types of discussions you would expect to be, looking at Maliki's priorities. Maliki has made a commitment to dealing, for example, with the increase in sectarian violence, militias. You saw that he traveled last week to Basra. There was discussion about the Basra situation, as well as Ramadi and Baghdad.
From the Press Gaggle (Dan Bartlett) June 12, 2006

Posted by: TJM on April 1, 2008 at 9:34 PM | PERMALINK

All Maliki needs is a codpiece, a carrier and a Mission Accomplished banner.

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