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Disillusionment with PM Nouri al-Maliki is growing within the Iraqi government.  Vice President Abdul Mahdi resigned last week--he was persuaded to stay, at least  temporarily--and others may follow, the Washington Post reports. Discontent stems from Mailiki's apparent inability to curb violence, boost the economy and build power-sharing with the minority Sunnis.

Mahdi's attempt to decamp followed last week's bombing of  the Shiite shrine in Samarra--carried out, Mahdi claims, by Sunni insurgents aided by corrupt police. The US, while publicly supporting al-Maliki, is also concerned about his commitment to  law enforcement and his failure to push through so-called benchmark legislation to nurture national reconciliation. (Read more Iraqi Parliament stories.)