Influential Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr’s political factions have been a force for years, but after previous promises to be an opposition bloc to check against corruption, the Sairoun bloc now intends to contest the June election, and envisions winning its own premiership.
Sadr’s shift isn’t a shock, as his previous blocs had a shot at forming governments, though contesting means dividing himself from anti-government protesters who historically supported him. Still, it isn’t impossible Sairoun could win the vote.
But the meantime could be messy. Already, Sadr’s militia supporters have clashed with the protesters in Nasiriyah. More clashes could mean more opposition to the bloc, and more pressure on the existing interim government to do something.
Many protesters are claiming the violence is a cynical attempt by Sadr to win the election.
… Now looks looks a good time to withdraw those remaining 2500 U.S. troops in Iraq.
The U.S. armed presence there is just as inflammatory to the locals as the U.S. presence was in Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are closer-than-usual allies.
Its like someone wants to start another Iraq-U.S. conflict, likely as a prelude to going into Iran as that would get more troops and materiale into the region,
Right now, the U.S. has no serious regional buildup of assets for an Iran war.