Basra amidst violence may see major push by previously ineffective Iraqi troops…

Basra is the key to Iraq -- a major city and source of oil, plus where most of trade in and out of the country flows. It's ports need major work to be modernized as strong storms keep out oil tankers, for example (though the ministry of transportation could allow for larger tug boats to pull in the oil barges). The city is controlled by varying gangs, militias and political parties, not all mutually exclusive. Any party that condemns corruption in Basra is a part of it nonetheless, aiming for a bigger piece of the pie, especially as there is much money to be made from oil and fuel smuggling and, come April, Basra is allowed to become a region of its own, just like Iraqi Kurdistan.

Several senior Iraqi officials said on Wednesday that the government might soon deploy Iraqi Army troops to seize control of this city’s decrepit but vital port from politically connected militias known more for corruption and inciting terrorism than for their skill in moving freight, James Glanz reports for The New York Times.The officials refused to disclose many details but appeared to suggest that this entire southern port city, whose streets have been increasingly torn by violence as the militias vie for power, would be affected. No specific timetable was given for the move.