Why is Muqtada Al-Sadr still alive?
 

I'm sure he would enjoy being a martyr. Why don't we oblige him?

Good question.

Maybe it's worse for him to be alive now?

My guess it's probably not for a lack of trying.

I'd sure like to see him dead, but in the end I doubt it'll matter. There's always someone waiting in the wings.

The devil you know is sometimes better than the devil you don't know.

According to the stuff I have read recently he has been holding back his organization from doing what they want to do. So maybe even though he is inflammatory he is better than what could succeed him, which would be all out warfare (rather than roving gangs of militia) directed at the Sunnis of Baghdad.

Yes, I have read that he is not in full control of the people loyal to him.

But isn't it clear that he is an impediment to the Iraqi govt. really engaging with the Sunnis?