After posting my Samarra piece on NRO yesterday, I came across two interesting articles while waiting for transport out of Baghdad. Both address the current status of Samarra:

TIME: “Reconciliation at Iraq’s Ground Zero”

AFP: “Hundreds of Shiite worshipers pack bombed Iraqi mosque”

If Samarra is coming around, anywhere in Iraq can come around. Still waiting to see first-hand, but these are good signs. Alas, judgment remains reserved.

Also: I’m leaving now to meet Asaad Ali Yasseen’s son at the Al Rasheed hotel now in Baghdad. Should provide an update on the piece I wrote yesterday.