al Maliki's Gov't vs US Troops vs al Sadr's Militia...

This is what I'm talking about...


BAGHDAD (AP) - U.S. and Iraqi forces blocked access to a town on
the northeast outskirts of Baghdad where Shiite gunmen were dug in
for a third day Monday behind earthen barriers. Police issued calls
for residents to leave the town, and some said they were running
out of food and fuel.

...

The continued fighting and deaths of Iraqis and American forces
in the sixth month of the American bid to calm Baghdad and the
center of the country illuminate the stubborn resistance to a
political solution in Iraq, where the government and legislature
appear determined to press for sectarian advantage rather than
Iraqi unity.

The Shiite-dominated parliament said Prime Minister Nouri
al-Maliki should intervene to end the crackdown by U.S. and Iraqi
forces on Husseiniyah. The town is a stronghold of the Mahdi Army,
the militia loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, and straddles
the highway to Baqouba, where U.S. forces are in the second month
of a drive to cleanse that region of al-Qaida in Iraq.

It's going to be interesting to see if al Maliki and his fellow politicians once again prevent American and Iraqi troops from arresting al Sadr's minions - once again prevent justice from being served.

It's a test... al Maliki et al in the Iraq government have an opportunity to prove who they are working for.

Anyone want to make a wager?

Will Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki and his government once again protect al Sadr and his thugs who kill Sunni Iraqis AND Shiite Iraqis who do not subscribe to their murderous schemes?

Or will they FINALLY stand behind the people of Iraq and put an end to al Sadr's reign of terror?