Talk about surrounding a story. The NYT's John Burns unleashes another 3900-word stunner on the state of Iraq's security forces, the third part in a series. Out of control little armies with competing loyalties specializing in kidnap and torture - that seems to sum it up. There's rampant confusion - are they militiamen or policemen? Is that even a distinction? - and little political will to improve the situation:
Disbanding the militias means confronting the parties that control them, and the parties control the government. The Supreme Council, which controls the Badr Brigade, has 30 seats in the new Parliament; Mr. Sadr, who controls the Mahdi Army, has 31 seats.
Both parties appear to be reluctant to disband their forces, if only because of the inability of the government to guarantee their safety.
"We don't think the problem in Iraq is militias," Mr. Mahdi, the vice president, said.
Max Boot on the deteriorating security in Baghdad. He quotes a Baghdad blogger as saying the city is becoming a hotbed of gangs and terrorists.
Bush gives a qualified nod to Olmert's plan to finalize the border with the Palestinians, but insists on negotiations. Hamas probably shouldn't expect that invitation to the table anytime soon. Some in Israel are beginning to doubt the wisdom of sanctions.
Iran wants talks with the US, passing word through a handful of intermediaries to Washington. Which, bizarrely, makes this all a little more like sixth grade - sending notes, passing requests through friends. Ah, diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Iran has a homegrown cartoon row of its own.
Vicente Fox visits the US, but Congress is unlikely to appreciate being given any legislative advice. CJ Chivers files a report on Chechen Sufis. The growth of China's military has Washington (privately) worried. Aziz testifies at Saddam's trial.
WaPo says violence in Afghanistan has been building, and Pakistan deserves much of the blame. Sixty Taliban fighters are killed in the south.
Ignatius: What if the intelligence isn't right the next time?
And stumper of the day: What's a navy to do without water?
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