1. The Iraqi Army launches an offensive against Sadr's militia
2. The Iraqi Army almost immediately needs American support.
3. Then the Iraqi government gives Al-Sadr a deadline to surrender, which is ignored.
4. The "deadline" is extended.
5. The Iraqi government sends emissaries to Iran to negotiate a ceasefire with Al Sadr.
6. Al-Sadr attaches some demands to the negotiation, then issues orders for the militia to ceasefire.
The Iraqi Army, which fought Iran for how many years and took Kuwait, now cannot handle a militia? If that doesn't illustrate how pathetic this 5 year nation-building project has been, I don't know what does.
2. The Iraqi Army almost immediately needs American support.
3. Then the Iraqi government gives Al-Sadr a deadline to surrender, which is ignored.
4. The "deadline" is extended.
5. The Iraqi government sends emissaries to Iran to negotiate a ceasefire with Al Sadr.
6. Al-Sadr attaches some demands to the negotiation, then issues orders for the militia to ceasefire.
The Iraqi Army, which fought Iran for how many years and took Kuwait, now cannot handle a militia? If that doesn't illustrate how pathetic this 5 year nation-building project has been, I don't know what does.