The Real News asks: “Who is Muqtada al-Sadr?” Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has been demonized as a radical, a thug, and even a terrorist by the occupiers. Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah, is a similarly complex figure who’s gotten this treatment. What makes an intelligent leader like al-Sadr so dangerous to US imperialism is that he understands the West’s main tactic is to divide and conquer Iraq, so he has called for a unified resistance.

In recent years, al-Sadr has been in increasing conflict with the militias working within the Iraqi government, military, and police force. He has also recently turned down offers to negotiate with the US occupiers, and has called Defense Secretary Gates a terrorist.

Patrick Cockburn joins Pepe Escobar to discuss American propaganda concerning al-Sadr and the occupation, and how al-Maliki is employing the US military the fight his losing battle in the current Shia power struggle.

h/t Steve from COA News