Nouri al-Maliki vs. Muqtada al-Sadr

November 30, 2006

Who is this guy anyway? We all know that he is the prime minister of Iraq (who would want that job?). But who is he really? He and Bush have now had their big meeting in Jordan wherein he said that he felt the Iraqi forces would be able to take over the control of security of his nation in 6-7 months. My question is, will he even be alive in 6-7 months?

A leaked Pentagon report pondered the same question. Who is this guy? Is he competent, not capable of doing the job, or just not aware of what’s going on somehow.

In an interview with ABC News al-Malaki said, “I can say that Iraqi forces will be ready, fully ready to receive this command and to command its own forces, and I can tell you that by next June our forces will be ready,”

Does he have a clue?

As he headed off to meet with Bush, 30 lawmakers and five Cabinet ministers loyal to the militant Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr had threatened to quit the government and parliament if al-Maliki went ahead with the summit, which aimed at halting Iraq’s escalating sectarian violence and paving the way for a reduction of U.S. troops.”

Muqtada al-Sadr may prove to be more powerful than al-Malaki; however, the Sadrist boycott of parliament and government has not affected top ministries such as foreign, defense, oil, finance, interior, justice or trade. Shiite Cabinet members participating in the boycott include the ministers of agriculture, health, transport and public works.

My money says Muqtada al-Sadr is the more powerful man.

Written by Ernie · Filed Under Daily Commentary