SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS

Most analysts initially saw the Iraqi-led offensive in Basra as a huge risk for the U.S.-backed Maliki government. But two months after operations in the southern port city, Iraqi forces persevered by arresting scores of fighters loyal to influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr and uncovering several weapons caches, The Wall Street Journal said Wednesday in an editorial.

The Iraqi government, the Journal said, brokered a 14-point truce with Sadr loyalists during the weekend with the assistance of Iranian officials. The deal mandates Sadr's fighters, the Mehdi Army, lay down their weapons, stop all militant activity and recognize the Iraqi government as the sole authority of law.

The Journal editorial says the Iranian support for the truce means the Maliki government has emerged as a geopolitical force. If Sadr's forces weren't on the verge of collapse as Maliki gains influence, the Journal reasons, Tehran would have "little reason to suddenly" support the truce.

The truce with Sadr supports the strategic reasoning behind the U.S. troop surge that the Iraqi government would gain confidence to emerge from the post-Saddam era once Baghdad became "convinced that the U.S. was not going to cut and run", the editorial stated.

 BREAKING STORIES

Obama: Troop safety key to Iraq pullout

U.S.-Iraq agreement may be hard sell

Two die, several captured in Iraqi raids

Iraqi war wounded say care is lacking

Holding Basra a key test for Iraq gov't

U.S. had direct hand in Iraq oil decision

Army historians fault Iraq planning

Military: Iraqi raids leave three dead

U.S. says al-Qaida leader in Mosul killed

Iraqi bombings kill 36, injure 100-plus

Blasts in Mosul, Baghdad kill eight

Two GIs among six dead in Sadr City blast

U.S. aims to quell female suicide bombers

Iraq elections threatened by Shiite feuds

3 U.S. troops killed by Iraqi politician

Army develops own Mideast air support

16 killed, 40 wounded in Iraq suicide bomb

Pentagon: Roadside bombings, deaths fall

Iraqi government gains control in Amara

Oil giants poised to return to Iraq