An e-mail from a well-informed observer:

Rich,
I do not believe that Sadr is running. He probably went to Iran to plan how to deal with America’s new strategy. From the sources I have read, Sadr need not fear for his life, as we will not attack into Sadr City. I believe that General Patraeus and his brain trust are going to work to marginalize Sadr and work to build communities outside Sadr City.