Maybe. But Maliki’s source of power is still the Islamic parties, in his case, the Shiites. I believe these provincial elections are going to see a rise of more secular parties and an erosion of the hold the various Islamic slates have. So you will see a national government still dominated by the Islamic parties and the provinces beginning to be led by more secular “unity” slates that have a chance to gain a more national following as they aren’t based on the cultural religious divisions.

I believe Iraq is due for national elections in 2009 and I would not be surprised to see the Islamic slates knocked down a notch or two in their hold on things. That is probably a good thing and politicians will be running on their visions for reconstruction and growth rather than their religious beliefs.

A number of Sunni Arab states have also been persuaded to revive their diplomatic presence and activities in Baghdad - another demand of the Iraqi Sunnis, our correspondent says.

On Saturday, Iraqi parliament also voted another four ministers to replace those from Moqtada Sadr’s political bloc.

Now that is significant! A Shia dominated government has succeeded in not only fostering the return of the Sunni bloc .. the hard way.. but Sunni Arabs states have been persuaded to give credibility to the Shia dominated government by reopening diplomatic relations. AND Sadr’s political gains in Ministers have been replaced.

Maybe Maliki could invite Nancy and Harry over for a little tutoring on how to get things done!

UncleOlaf on July 19, 2008 at 9:04 AM

wise_man on July 19, 2008 at 9:12 AM

jimmy the notable on July 19, 2008 at 9:25 AM

profitsbeard on July 19, 2008 at 9:56 AM

TroubledMonkey on July 19, 2008 at 10:50 AM

Cooked-up in Crawford!

Why wouldn’t the Sunnis come back now that Maliki has agreed to boot American troops out of Iraq in 16 months?

alphie on July 19, 2008 at 11:13 AM

Sometimes it’s good to read the fine print in contracts. I suspect Maliki would like to retain a little of that good old fashioned U.S. air power and logistics,..just in case he gets in over his head.

This is not just my opinion, it is the opinion of those who return from duty or jobs in Iraq. Talk to them when you get a chance to.

I’m suprised that the most arrogant ass of this forum, the almighty MB4, hasn’t blessed us with his usual negative retort.

Just wait, my friend, just wait….

He’ll tell us what these words really mean and anyone who disagrees is a fool, liar or stupid.

“Gen. David Petraeus said in an interview Saturday in his office in Baghdad that fighters who otherwise would have been sent to carry out bombings and other attacks in Iraq may be going to the rugged, lawless tribal areas of Pakistan along the Afghan border.”

Two divisions of intractable battle-hardened Marines and superior air power should all but put the “mountain-dwellers” in a “final resting place”—-game, set, match.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Depression on the horizon as certain segments suffer dramatic cuts. Gravediggers and mortuaries hardest hit.

“Another ‘miserable failure’ courtesy the Bush administration,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco). “One would have to engage in a willing suspension of disbelief to consider the surge to be succeeding. How could one possibly think that the Bush catastrophe is going well when an entire segment of the historically, fully employed, Gravedigger’s Coalition is now seeking new work? What is this… Bizarro world?”

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) has echoed her colleague’s sentiments. Said Reid, “Why is it that Bush and General Petreaus remain intent on destroying the working class not only here in the U.S. but also in Iraq? How can they wake up in the morning knowing gravediggers, the salt of the earth, must now be either retrained for skills they do not possess or walk the streets begging for new corpses to bury just to feed their starving children? It’s unconscionable.”

Unwinnable!

jimmy the notable at 9:25 am-
This war is lost.

profitsbeard on July 19, 2008 at 9:56 AM

“I’m Harry Reid I endorse this message”

How’s that CIVAL WAR going in your pressrooms?

Somebody cue the “That Girl” theme when BHO gets off the plane.

It was Obama, the empty suited one, that saved the day for the Maliki government.

Let’s all vote for Obama, because he is the most incredibly gifted politician of our lifetimes.

Maybe he’ll write another book quickly, so that will add to his gravitas.

How did Charles Krauthammer put it? “When your biggest accompishment is writing a book about yourself”…..

bspoogeferd on July 19, 2008 at 10:19 AM

Damn!! That is a stunner. Cuts McCain off at the knees. Is it too much to hope that Reuters took liberty with the quuotes?

Credit to Barry? NEVAH!…..oh….I forgot….according to the Today show this morning team Barry announced that Barry PRESSURED George to set up a time table with Maliki and negotiations with Iran.

I don’t have a TiVO. Maybe some enterprising digital head out there caught it.

Limerick on July 19, 2008 at 9:14 AM

I was afraid of that. It gave him an opening.

http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSL1980090

Credit to Barry? NEVAH!…..oh….I forgot….according to the Today show this morning team Barry announced that Barry PRESSURED George to set up a time table with Maliki and negotiations with Iran.

Maybe because of this?

Perhaps they new it was coming. If it’s true, Maliki just handed Obama the election. That’s the thanks Bush gets…

“Al Qaeda Defeat Attributed to Global Warming”.

Unwinnable!

jimmy the notable at 9:25 am-

This war is lost.

With any luck the wind won’t change…