You Can't Bomb Beliefs
by Naomi Klein

Progressives should oppose the US attack on Sadr, because it is an attack not on one man but on the possibility of Iraq's democratic future. There is another reason, as well, to defend Sadr's democratic rights: It's the best way to fight the rise of religious fundamentalism in Iraq.

Far from reducing the draw of extremism, the US attack on Sadr has greatly strengthened it. Sadr has deftly positioned himself not as the narrow voice of strict Shiites but as an Iraqi nationalist defending the entire country against foreign invaders. Thus, when he was attacked with the full force of the US military and dared to resist, he earned the respect of millions of Iraqis living under the humiliation and brutality of occupation.

Full story here.