Iraq does look much better from a military point. Everyone is correct in that. The reasons for that are political, not military, is the "solution" for the region. And the political solutions necessary are as distant as they were 5 years ago.

Consider: Basra was considered pacified by Americans after the Iraqis either did not show or deserted at a rate which destroyed their combat effectiveness. The military reality is that al-Sadr consented to withdraw his forces for political reasons. One thing is sure - they did not give up.

"They" are fighting in their homeland against foreigners and infidels who have attacked them. "They" will not give up, and we can't kill them all. "Hearts and minds" is a phrase not heard because it is not in the Bush lexicon.

Iraq's national and regional interests are more in line with Iran's than America's. No amount of military force will change that and al-Maliki seems to realize that Iran will be there longer than the US. His is a difficult balancing act, trying to stay alive and in power while an occupying military power with no consideration for local interests tries to impose it's will on the region.

And in the end their local interests and their religious loyalties will carry the day. Have carried the day. "Reconciliation" is as far away now as ever.

Arf