Latest backfire from Maliki US move against Sadr

It was Iran that brokered the ceasefire between the American-backed, American-pushed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malki and Moqtada Sadr and his Mahdi Army.

Result?

Iran is in the catbird seat as an intra-Iraqi Shi’ite power broker, notes CNN’s Nic Robertson:

“There’s a broad alliance of Shia parties here in Iraq that have been sort of struggling and struggling to hold themselves together over the recent months,” Robertson stated. “That alliance essentially broke down with this recent fighting, and it appears that Iran has wanted the Shias to remain united here, that they don't want massive violence right on their own doorstep.”

“It also shows how weak the prime minister is here,” Robertson continued. “He went to war against Moqtada al-Sadr’s militia, failed to defeat them ... decisively, and the Iranians have stepped in to help him save face as well.”

“The Iranians here are in a very strong position, influencing the government,” concluded Robertson. “I think we can expect more of the same.”

No doubt our Preznit is asking Maliki to help him look for his pony as we speak.