Wednesday, March 12, 2008
It happens all the time in the Ukraine. Recently, in Iran al Sadr's case of food poisoning defied the best efforts of Russian doctors:
From Where is Moqtada al-Sadr? by Richard Fernandez:
The rumor capped one of the most bizarre political absences in recent recent Iraq history. Sadr was a powerful politician who led the Madhi Army militia in Iraq. His forces had fought the U.S. Marines in Najaf; challenged the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani for the leadership of Shi'ism in Iraq; built extensive alliances with the Ayatollahs in Teheran and aspired to create a force the equal of Lebanon's Hezbollah. The Nation's Naomi Klein even called him "the single greatest threat to U.S. military and economic control of Iraq."..
...Following reports he was in a coma, on March 8 Sadr issued a written statement confirming that he was suffering from physical weakness and undergoing a period of meditation and study.
But never fear. Al Sadr is 'reasserting' his leadership through the distribution of leaflets. He's seeking 'active involvement in his movement and its military wing -- despite a decision last year to immerse himself in religious study.'
So, if he's seeking 'active involvement', why isn't he going on television, or speaking to his followers in person? Why is he communicating through leaflets?
Maybe, like the Ukraine's Viktor Yushchenko, the effects of, umm...food poisoning have altered his appearance - and he doesn't want people to see him looking bad?
No, that can't be it.
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At Dean Esmay's site, Aziz P. says:
Marc Lynch aka The Father of the Aardvark is an expert on Arab media and politics. He has done ex...Read More
At Dean Esmay's site, Aziz P. says: Marc Lynch aka The Father of the Aardvark is an expert on Arab media and politics. He has done exhaustive research and journalism on the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt, and has argued... Read More
...same to you, buddy (I'm talking 'bout Sadr, not Solly ;-)
With any luck, it's the same form of food poisoning that got to Yasser Arafat, and no doubt will be blamed on the nefarious Israeli operatives in Iran.
If it was food poisoning/dioxin, I'd guess that the Russians are responsible. That's their thing.
But it's interesting to watch how quickly al Sadr's career was destroyed, both by his Iranian/Russian handlers and by US troops in Kut. This is the guy who was portrayed by Newsweek as the most powerful thug in Iraq. For years, people were wondering why we didn't get rid of him.
Once he was no longer useful, he was quickly tossed aside - by both sides.