THE CLERIC WHO WOULD BE KARL ROVE:

Sistani pulls main Shia parties together to dominate Iraq poll (Rory McCarthy, December 1, 2004, The Guardian)

Iraq's Shia parties have built a powerful political alliance uniting moderates with extremists and seem likely to dominate next month's general election. The coalition, formed in weeks of private negotiations, will put forward a joint list of candidates.

The process has been overseen by Iraq's most revered Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who has designated aides to unite the diverse Shia parties and to vet the many independent candidates standing with them.

Although he seeks no political role for himself, the influence of the Iranian-born ayatollah will ensure that the government has a deeply religious character and that Islam is a central tenet of the constitution that must be written next year.

Shia politicians are highly organised and intent on holding the elections on time, despite the violence that still grips Iraq and the pressure for a delay from their Sunni and Kurdish political rivals. If they succeed it will be the first time for centuries that the Shia have run the country, achieving what many have come to regard as their birthright.

While the Sunni flail around trying to recapture the past, the Shi'a look to the democratic future.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 1, 2004 8:40 AM