Informed Comment
Paul Richter of the Los Angeles Times discusses the frustrations of American officials in Baghdad with the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Al-Maliki opposed Israel’s war on Lebanon, and has sought good relations with neighboring Iran, neither move synchronizing with US policy.

To be expected.  But this: 

He has also been slow off the mark to get the process of national reconciliation going among Sunni Arabs and Shiites, has seemed helpless in the face of militia activity, and has not been able to get a handle on the security situation.

Aren’t these things what the U.S. has also failed to do?