In what is seen as a calculated gamble, the US military is handing responsibility for security in Karbala province over to the Iraqi government, making it the eighth province to be placed under Iraqi control.
The peace between the two Shiite militias in the area (the Mahdi army and the Badr organization) is holding, though there are still sporadic outbursts of violence. The main problem in the region is Iran, which directly controls some of the local commanders.
The U.S. military will remain in the area in the event that they are needed.
This is not a sure thing, but the Bush administration certainly needs some political progress to go along with the obvious military success. It is a bit of a risk, but hopefully one that can be sustained.
There's my two cents.
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