A worrisome young Shia clergyman this week launched an alternative to the Governing Council that was set up and is still controlled by the Americans as Iraq's fledgling ruling body. Because the Americans, under their proconsul, Paul Bremer, have either co-opted the main Shia religious parties or convinced them at least not to oppose American rule for the time being, Muqtada al-Sadr and his cohorts have found a niche as spokesmen for Iraqi Shias' discontent. And it is plainly proving hard for the Americans, and Iraqis co-operating with them, to deal with Mr Sadr and his movement. Too heavy an American hand might increase resentment and restlessness among Iraq's hitherto acquiescent Shias, some 60% of the population. But doing nothing means letting Mr Sadr roam free to spread the word against "the great Satan".
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