EckerNet.Com

The media has gone into orgasmic convulsions over the news that the Iraqi military is battling Shi\’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr\’s Mehdi Army militia, with articles titled \”Is \’success\’ of U.S. surge in Iraq about to unravel?\”. Seemingly every news service is running a similar story.

This strikes me as a bit odd. Why is the fact that the Iraqi government finally has the political will and military resources to enforce the rule of law, and assert it\’s authority, in outlying regions of the country, a bad thing??? To me that\’s the sign of progress, not that the country is ready to unravel.

The Iraqi army finally has the ability to take the fight to the enemy and that is a bad thing??

Now only that, but consider the other forces/variables at work here. You have a Shiite dominated government actually willing to put down a Shiite militia. In other words secretarian allegiances take a back seat to government authority and the rule of law. How again is that a bad thing?!??

Instead of declaring defeat yet again, and incorrectly, for the 100th time, perhaps the media should recognize progress when it sees it. Because this kneejerk reaction to anything that happens in Iraq is getting a little ridiculous.

Besides, the Mahdi army has never been a military threat in the full sense of the word.  It\’s been a nuisance which could make life hell for the population.  It was able to pose a challenge for green Iraqi Army units in their infancy. It has never been something which could stand up to the might of the US military.  Now the Iraqi Army is in a position that they are more than a match for the Sadr loyalists.

This showdown has been a long time in coming.  It would have been preferable if the Mahdi Army had just faded into the background, as even Al-Sadr believes it should.  But in the end this provides an opportunity for the Iraqi Army to demonstrate they are in control and that the militias are no longer welcome. Once again, that is a good thing.