"Nobody could have predicted..."

Is Al-Qaeda Back in Baghdad?
By ABIGAIL HAUSLOHNER/BAGHDAD, Time
Sunday, Apr. 27, 2008
A series of bombings rocked predominantly Sunni areas of Baghdad over the weekend, threatening to draw al-Qaeda back into the capital's spotlight, just as Iraqi and American military commanders announced limited progress made on another fiery front line. For the last month, the attention of the Iraqi and American militaries shifted in large part from Sunni insurgents to the Shi'ite Mahdi Army. With daily car bombings and IEDs still lower in Sunni areas of the capital than they were a year ago, officials are hesitant to declare a return of al-Qaeda just yet. But with all eyes focused on the Mahdi Army's stronghold of Sadr City, it appears that the insurgent group is beginning to take advantage of the distracted U.S. and Iraqi government forces.
[emphasis added]

In our glee to help Maliki pursue his political nemesis - al Sadr - we took our eyes off the AQI ball! Cool!

What happened to AQI's last stand in Mosul... or was it in Baquba? Samarra?

What would be wrong with telling Maliki, "You're going to have to deal with al Sadr. He's a very popular leader. You need to figure out an accommodation."???

Stop the madness!