Chalabi Charges in Context

Juan Cole looks at the possible arrest of Ahmad Chalabi in the context of the upcoming elections. Chalabi is a candidate for the Shi'ite list, and Cole suggests some in the Allawi government might be trying to taint them. Certainly intimidation is one possible explanation, but this may be simply a counterstroke to Chalabi's charges against the defense minister who announced the arrest plans, reminding everyone that two can play at the game of corruption charges but only one currently has the power to act.