Iraqi Progress

According to the London Times, life is on the upswing in Basra. After years of languishing under the oppressive Mahdi Army, and the failure of the British military to do anything about it, people are finally more concerned about finding jobs than being kidnapped off the street. Music is returning, people are able to dress as they like and students are returning to schools.

More reporting at the Daily Standard.

The New York Times, meanwhile, reports that the largest block of Sunnis participating in the year-long boycott of the Maliki government will be returning to their offices.