In honor of Earth Day: recycling

This is basically the same article/comment I posted earlier today. The headline has changed, which suggests additional comment:

US general urges Sadr to do more to stem bloodshed
by Hassan Jouini
23 Apr 2008
BAGHDAD (AFP) - A US general urged Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday to do more to halt attacks by his loyalists on the security forces, as Baghdad was rocked by fresh fighting that killed 21 people.

Okay - both the headline & the lead paragraph now suggest that the general is doing something more than just "hoping": he is now "urging". I guess that's a move in the right direction.

But... what's in it for al Sadr? Suppose he responds positively to this new American overture, and in fact reins in his militia. What has to to expect in return?

Based on recent history, he can expect two U.S./Iraqi responses to his generosity:

1. U.S. & Iraqi forces will take advantage of Sadr's restraint by stepping up arrests of his supporters.
2. U.S. Administration & military spokemen will cite Sadr's generosity as sign of weakness.

There's a predictable third response that probably doesn't concern al Sadr too much: U.S. Administration & military spokesmen will interpret Sadr's generosity as proof of Iran's meddling in Iraq.

Does the U.S. general have any quid pro quo in mind? If Sadr uses his influence to reduce attacks on U.S. & Iraqi forces, what does the general promise in return? I've seen nothing to suggest any such reciprocity has been proposed.

Stop the madness!