In other news from Iraq, the British journalist Patrick Cockburn has revealed explosive details about a secret U.S. plan to kill or capture one of Iraq’s best-known Shiite leaders, Muqtada al-Sadr. According to Cockburn, the U.S. Army tried to carry out the plan two-and-a-half years ago by luring al-Sadr to peace negotiations at a house in the holy city of Najaf. Iraq’s national security adviser said the effects of the U.S. plan are still being felt because it led to Sadr losing all confidence and trust in the U.S.