"Marine commander considers lack of reconstruction 'a mission failure'". There's not a lot of willingness of the central (Shia) government to share revenue with the Sunni. US bribes have kept the peace.

Meanwhile, in all Shia Basra neither side says it will accept loss in the January 31 elections. Here's hoping they can do it peacefully.

"We are not ready to give up Basra and we are hopeful it will remain in our hands," said Aqeel al-Fereij, a senior Fadhila member of the outgoing Basra provincial council.

"The Supreme Council is equally determined to win control of Basra after four years of Fadhila domination.

"Without wanting to sound too confident or too ambitious, we will not be happy with less than the majority that places us in a decision-making position," said Furat al-Sharaa, a local Supreme Council leader and a candidate."

The situation in Iraq resembles a rotten tree. Doesn't look all that bad from the outside, but will blow over no matter what anyone does.

Arf