he US-led dispensation that pertained since the end of the cold war. It included, in addition to Iran itself, the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, the Sadrist movement and other Shia Islamist currents in Iraq, Syria's Assad regime, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad organisation. It appeared in recent years

is exit. Previously, however, he has "left" politics only to return to the political arena. His move coincided with the resignation of various other Sadrist MPs. Sadr's bloc currently holds six cabinet posts and over 10% of the 325-member parliament. The move has been interpreted as a "gift" to his riva