There is fitful progress in Iraq.

* There is fitful progress in Iraq. Radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has made noises about joining the political process, and his forces have begun to sell heavy weapons to the Iraqi government in a "gun buy-back" program. Al-Sadr will probably change tack again, but at least Sadr City in Baghdad is relatively peaceful. Farther north in Fallujah, Prime Minister Allawi is threatening an all-out assault and the U.S. Marines have made probing attacks. Any battle for Fallujah will surely be as uneven--with negotiations constantly alternating with combat--as the (ultimately successful) fight for Najaf several weeks ago. But prevailing there is imperative, since the city is the main exporter of car bombs to the rest of the country. The sooner, the better.