As Iran s nuclear program has developed, the Bush administration appeared to draw a red line: a nuclear weapons-capable Islamic Republic would be unacceptable. On August 8, 2004, for example, then-national security adviser Condoleezza Rice told NBC News
By suspending the Sadrist Movements activities, Sadr hopes to prevent the growth of a new Mahdist splinter group that threatens his religious and political credibility.
Bogged down in their internecine strife, the two major Iraqi trends of political Shiism are dragging the country back to its old demons. While for the moment, the religious leaders have managed to calm the belligerents’ ardour, everyone wonders how long this will last. Our investigation was carried out in Baghdad, Sadr City and Najaf. After a year’s deadlock, the election of a President of the Republic by the Iraqi parliament and especially the appointment f a new Prime Minister ought in (.)
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