Radical Shiite leaders Moderate Stance toward US



Nir Rosen reports that Muhammad Yaqoubi, leader of the breakaway Sadrist group, al-Fudala, has moderated his anti-American statements lately, following Muqtada al-Sadr’s conciliatory communiqué of last Friday. Behind the scenes, the US is clearly using a set of carrots and sticks to reduce the tension with these ayatollahs and their numerous followers. (Yaqoubi’s Fudala is especially influential in Basra).

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