Iraq: Al-Sadr Falls in Line With Iran's Wishes

Iraqi Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr’s acceptance of the writ of the Iraqi central government dominated by his Shiite rivals showcases the extent to which his movement has transformed itself from its dissident origins. The transformation is not just about playing by the rules of the game; it also is about embracing his rival's objectives. Such a realignment on al-Sadr's part helps Iranian efforts to manage Iraq's Shiite community, which is key to Tehran's objectives to dominate its western neighbor.