McCain's fusiliers

So on February 27, Iraq Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi blocks a law mandating Iraqi provincial elections in October on the basis that they are unconstitutional. He changes his mind after a visit by Dick Cheney. A purple fingered festival of reconciliation is promptly scheduled for October, a month before the US goes to the polls, any benefit to the Republicans being entirely incidental.

Meanwhile, the O/C of Iraqi forces in Basra is planning an attack on the city targeting the Jaish al Mahdi for May. Following the electoral law decision, the attack is promptly brought forward to this week; a decision taken over his head. The British, his main point of liaison with the allied forces in Iraq, are also kept in ignorance until the eve of the attack.

The attack on Basra stalls, for whatever reason. For one thing, the General has had to rely on the local cops, who as we know are quite heavily infiltrated by the JAM. Maybe he wouldn’t have had to do this if the original timeline had been in place. Meanwhile, the British are pressured to intervene; US troops are already taking the lead in combat in Sadr City.

Amongst other things, I’d be interested to know why British forces should be fighting in Basra to elect John McCain.