Michael Ledeen gives the latest developments in Najaf — namely, a reported standing down of Muqtada al-Sadr — a positive assessment. Mostly. But enough.

A REAL COWARD: That stand-down was typical Mookie, with the phony cleric trying to wriggle his way out almost immediately. Baghdad responded by resuming the countdown to endgame, and al-Sadr's men quickly started talking existentialism. As long as the Mahdi gang is in operation, the people of Najaf and other southern locales suffer. Let's end this.

Most impressive is the headline, "Iraq Warns al-Sadr to Surrender, or Else." Iraq. Not "interim authority," nor "Coalition," nor "occupation." Iraq, determined to fight Iran's terrorist agent.