As I predicted, U.S. troops are meeting little resistance as they begin their crackdown in Baghdad. The Shiite militias have gone to ground, figuring they can wait us out. Meanwhile, Moqtada al Sadr has fled to Iran, and Ralph Peters thinks we should use that against him by branding him a coward.

The Kurds are seeking promises from the U.S. to help them if Iraq breaks up. Past history should tell them that the Americans are not reliable allies.

Mario Loyola says appeasing Iran, rather than confrontation, is the path more likely to lead to war.

Stanley Kurtz says we should use anthropology to better understand radical Islam.