Al Sadr flees Iraq

The leader of the radical Mahdi Army is back in Iran, and according to Bill Roggio, he's losing face with his supporters:

Sadr held two rallies, both of which had poor showings, and had to
cancel a July 5 march to Samarra to protest the attack on the Shia holy site of
the al Askaria mosque. Sadr's spokesman claimed the Iraqi government wouldn't
provide security, but based on the past poor showing of his demonstrations,
there are questions that Sadr may have harmed his image with another poor
showing.
Sadr's return to Iran harms his image as an Iraqi nationalist. He
has criticized the leadership of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council (SIIC,
formerly the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq) for sheltering in
Iran in the past, only to accept aid, comfort, shelter and cash from Iran's Qods
Force.

More good news! Everything is happening at a breathe-taking pace as the Surge goes into high gear. Stay tuned and stay hopeful.