Kidnappings Underscore Iraqi PM Weakness

If the kidnappings were militia-related, it would underscore Maliki's inability to disarm the groups and could erode his relationship with U.S. officials who have been pressuring Maliki to take tougher action against the militias.
Maliki appears to be using, or at least passively condoning, the takeover of a Sunni-dominated ministry by what many suspect are Interior Ministry police, or at least Shi'ite militiamen wearing IntMin uniforms. These twenty pick-up trucks were allowed free traverse of all the checkpoints in the Shi'a controlled neighborhood despite the fact that many of the vehicles were without license plates!

It appears that these kidnappings may be a tipping point in forcing the PM to confront his own coalition allies. Since the bombing of the Samarra Dome Mosque, the Shi'ites have begun to run amok.