Iraq: Something Old, Something New

There were more deaths in Iraq.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Insurgents used a land mine and a roadside bomb to kill three U.S. Army soldiers and wound four on Saturday in attacks that brought to eight the number of American service members who have died in the last three days.

But in an interesting new development, the man who can move millions of votes has said he will not endorse any party.

Ayatollah Sistani, one of Iraq's most senior Shia clerics, will not endorse any political groups for December's election, his spokesman has said.
The grand ayatollah wants Iraqis to vote according to their beliefs, Sheikh Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalai said in a sermon on Friday.

The ayatollah's statement may worry the ruling Shia-led coalition, the United Iraqi Alliance. His support before the January election helped them win over many Iraqi Shia.

This may present an opportunity for many shia to support a more secular government that may be more willing to work across religious lines. This also may lead to the more militant minded shia gaining support and add more fuel to the civil war. Or, lacking direction, the majority may just follow their last instructions, and vote UIA.

Time will tell.