The nonpareil blog "Iraq the Model" contains a fascinating and encouraging analysis (see March 16 post)--drawn from local Iraqi media--about the problems Iran is having in Iraq now that the government is becoming tough with Shia as well as Sunni terrorists. I especially like the way that Mohammed Fadhil ties the falling prestige of Iran to its other troubles, such as with the United Nations nuclear sanctions.
Even Shia Iraqis are getting fed up with Iran. That is NEWS. We are not getting enough of this in the MSM in America.
We did get a story yesterday that the Surge is leading to reduced violence in Baghdad, but this account--which should have been on page one, where the MSM editors instead placed the latest wrinkle on the U.S. attorney firings--was relegated to ho-hum treatment well inside the nation's newspapers and broadcasts.
It is too soon to declare a shift in the direction of the war, but not too soon to start to sniff the air.
Think of this one encouraging anomaly. While there is furious opposition on the U.S. left to the troop surge in Iraq, and the Senate is narrowly voting down (50-48) a call for a pullout of U.S. troops in 120 days, you are not hearing much criticism of the Surge from the Middle East and almost none from Iraq. In Iraq only the terrorists could mind--and the Iranians.
Let us be thankful again for the Internet!