meet al-malik

Good news about Ibrahim al-Jaafari stepping aside as the Iraqi Prime Minister. I think a combination of things happened:

[1] He finally took a freaking hint

We've been leaning on him pretty hard, as have the varying factions on the ground in Baghdad.

[2] He saw the writing on the wall

Nothing productive was going to happen as long as he was in charge and his reputation as a weakling was too entrenched into the minds of people.

[3] He realized what was important

His power, ego, the prestige of being 'the first' post-Hussein PM, whatever. The well being of the country emerged as the priority. Finally. Good for Iraq. al-Jaafari, is a patriot.

It will be interesting to see how new nominee Jawad al-Malik (above) handles himself going forward.