Al-Maliki grows a backbone

CBC News reported Al-Maliki gives Mahdi Army blunt choice: disarm or face American onslaught.

Can we put a bullet in the center of al Sadr's black hat just to show you mean it?

Iraq's prime minister has told Mahdi Army militiamen they must surrender their arms or face an all-out assault by U.S.-backed Iraqi forces, senior Iraqi officials said Wednesday, revealing a pledge Washington wanted to hear as American and Iraqi troops prepared a fresh operation to end the bloody sectarian war gripping Baghdad. The blunt message was particularly significant given that Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi leader, previously had blocked several U.S. attempts to crack down on the military wing of radical anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, now one of the most powerful players in Iraq.

If he ever backs down from that pledge we should pull out immediately. Move North to protect the Kurds, then stage most forces as if we are preparing to invade Iran

RWN blogged This is another headline that has been long overdue.