The real reason for Condi's trip to Iraq

Condi was sent to Iraq to remedy that little problem I was talking about yesterday, the "nonsectarian" security plan that has an Iraqi Shia general beholden to Maliki "in the lead" just happens to be cracking down only on Sunni areas. (Link)

The official, who was familiar with the discussions, said Rice told Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that the initial stage of the crackdown, which began Wednesday, appeared to focus on Sunni areas and had left Sadr City, stronghold of the Mahdi Army militia, nearly untouched.

As predicted, the Shia are taking advantage of their "breathing space" to further their aims in the civil war. That's what US troops are now dying for.