WSJ today 28 Oct 2006

"Iraq and the US deny rising friction under pressure for progress"

"After a week in which Premier Maliki bridled at US talk of a timeline to improve security, he and the US envoy issued a joint communique affirming 'good and strong ties".

But actually the Bush regime's real attitude is probably much closer to a WSJ editorial on 27 Oct--"If Sadrist forces ask him (Maliki) to choose between them and his obligations to a unified Iraq worthy of US support--as the Sadrists appear to have done with this kidnapping (of the Iraqi-American soldier)--he should know there will be consequences for picking the wrong side."

Indeed, he does know, I'm sure. He is only unclear about which is the wrong side.