Juan Cole hints at the implementation of the successful Shiite strategy in Iraq.
By the Shiite militia's taking a powder and laying low, the American military is conducting urban warfare mostly in the Sunni regions. Thus the Sunni's are being weakened while the Shiites rearm, regroup and rest. While the Sunni's continue to try and bait the Shiites into fighting, they are successfully laying low and letting the American's do the fighting for them. Then when the U.S. leaves, voila', they win!