adam wrote:

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Tuesday ordered the lifting of joint U.S.-Iraqi military checkpoints around the Shiite militant stronghold of Sadr City and other parts of Baghdad -- another apparent move to assert his authority with the Americans and appeal to his Shiite support base.

*raised eyebrows*
ungrateful is as ungrateful does

I think he has to assert his independence or the Iraqis will not take him seriously. The Iraqi government ought to be a voice that Americans hear, and that occaisonally disagrees with Americans. If not, it is irrelevant.

RE: U.S. Obeys Order to Abandon Checkpoints - New York Times