Like Michael Corleone, Iraq’s Militias Seek Legitimacy

Saddam Hussein’s favorite movie was reportedly “The Godfather.” A central theme in the story is the attempts of Michael Corleone, the godfather, to turn the Corleone Family into a legitimate business. Many of today’s leaders of Iraq’s Iran-aligned militias (and their families) were persecuted by Saddam’s security services and could not enjoy the luxury of foreign films, but they would understand Michael’s dilemma. The “founding charter” of Iraq’s militias is arguably Coalition Provisional…