May 18, 2018
KNOWING YOUR ALLIES:
After upset Iraqi vote, US prepares to embrace a former foe (JOSH LEDERMAN, 5/18/18, AP)
Fourteen years after Muqtada al-Sadr's militias fought American troops, the United States is preparing to work hand in hand with the charismatic Shiite cleric and his movement, hoping to find common cause in curtailing Iran's influence in the wake of an upset Iraqi election.Like many Iraqis, Washington was caught off guard by the election, in which a coalition organized by al-Sadr took the largest share of the parliamentary vote.
Oddly enough, we're never surprised when Christian parties win our elections or Jewish parties Israeli elections, but are always surprised that Muslims vote for Muslim parties.
Posted by Orrin Judd at May 18, 2018 5:24 AM