Politics 101

What are the chances the Maliki will actually combat the Shiite and Sunni militias equally? Based on the history of most politicians, particularly in states with civil war, the odds are unlikely. One of the fundamental lessons of politics is to support your base. Given that Maliki came to power with the help of Sadr and the very Shiite's he is now supposedly targeting, he would be an uncommon leader to honor his word on this score.

More likely, he is telling George Bush exactly what he wants to hear (as Putin has done quite successfully I might add) and carry out a few token raids against those Shiites that oppose him.

Considering that the majority of Iraqi's are Shiite, he isn't going to abandon nationalist politics now.

Posted by Peter