Reply #1: I'll say it once - Sistani's clout rising is not bad for Sadr! [View All]

[Kagemusha]

Sistani's clout rises at the expense of the US and Allawi, NOT SADR. Sadr didn't have more clout to Sistani to begin with and loses nothing by appearing to be subject to his will. Sistani, in fact, owes his now truly colossal clout to Sadr, and Sistani is piggybacking on the Sadr movement to "save" the shrine.

These people are two sides of the same coin. The upstart 'speaking' faction of Shiite Islam and the reserved 'quiet' faction of Shiite Islam. This is the 'speaking' faction prodding the 'quiet' faction into not being so quiet. Militarily, Sadr lost. Religiously and politically, he has gained tremendously.

And remember, his militia wasn't exactly Special Forces to begin with. They probably have more value to Sadr's movement, in the long term, as martyrs than as warm bodies.