1. Locate the following Iraqi cities referred to in the article: Fallujah, Najaf, Basra.  For a map click here.  In what area of Iraq are these cities located?

2. Who is Muqtada al-Sadr? What 3 reasons does Babak Rahimi give for al-Sadr's popularity with young people (including girls)? (para. 16) What does Mr. Rahimi mean when he says that young girls kissing al-Sadr's photo "tells you a lot"?

3. Re-read paragraph 11. What does this imply about al-Sadr?

4. What violent acts were attributed to al-Sadr in this article, and then in  this commentary (starting with paragraph 7)

5. How has al-Sadr changed his tactics following his defeat in his last uprising against U.S. forces? (para. 18)

6. How do al-Sadr's followers view him and what he can do for them? (para. 17)  What could the Iraqi government and coalition forces do to counter this view of al-Sadr?

7. Why is al-Sadr dangerous to a free Iraq? (Think about al-Sadr's probable view on the rule of law.)