Iraq and Afghanistan

Sunday’s paper brought yet another discussion of the intention of al-Sadr to renounce force, disarm his militia, endorse the election, and enter politics. Once again he has been making overtures on a number of fronts. Our friend Ahmad Chalabi is said to be encouraging the move. al-Sadr’s representative has been meeting with the Sunni Association of Muslim Scholars, Kurdish and Christian leaders. He wants to bring into his camp the smaller, disaffected, anti-American parties to form a new bloc. His conditions include the involvement of the United Nations and the absence of American or British interference in the elections. Supposedly, this initiative is again approved by Ayatollah Sistani. Many political leaders endorse the attempt, but are also skeptical.

Meanwhile, the Mahdi Army continues to operate effectively, at least in Baghdad. The degree of his control over the army has always been a question, although I suspect that this is a question that has been promoted by al-Sadr to improve his bargaining position. More serious may be the attitudes of the Mahdi Army individuals if asked to give up their weapons in an authenticate move. Reporters speaking to them on the street find they are as dedicated to killing Americans as ever. Even though they have lost untold numbers in Najaf and Baghdad in recent offensives, their morale appears to remain high.