Good Question

In the past, I've asked why we allow accused murderer and two-time insurrectionist Muqtada al Sadr to live free (here, here, and here). We beat him when he rose up in April 2004 and again in August 2004. Why are we (US and Iraqis) letting him get ready for round three? He should be tried and executed for his crimes. This article, noting Sadr's role in the murder of Steven Vincent, wonders:

I have never yet heard a satisfactory explanation for leaving this thug free to incite terror and chaos. Does anyone seriously believe Sadr has somehow become one of the good guys? Paul Bremer vowed Sadr would be captured. Several warrants have been issued for his arrest, yet he still preaches and plots with impunity. If there was some misplaced hope that the Sadr problem would be taken care of by Iraqi police, as we naively hoped would happen at Fallujah, those hopes have been dashed by Vincent’s death.

Iran may yet try to win in Iraq as the Syrian effort to support the Baathists and jihadis falters. If the mullahs in Tehran try to pull off their own Battle of the Bulge, Sadr will be their tool.

I ask again, why is Muqtada al-Sadr still alive? He's still causing trouble for us, you know.