IN THE NEW YORK TIMES: “Iraq’s prime minister says the military operation to clear the southern city of Basra of Shiite militia violence has been a ‘success.’ Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said in a statement Tuesday that his office will recruit 10,000 more police and army forces and will move to enhance public services in Iraq’s second-largest city. His comments come after a peace deal between radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and the Iraqi government has brought a tense calm following a week of clashes.”

UPDATE: More at The Belmont Club.