Why the Surprise?

Why is anyone surprised that a Sunni coalition leader is speaking out against American troops?

BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 1 — Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki lashed out at the American military on Thursday, denouncing what he characterized as habitual attacks by troops against Iraqi civilians.

...In his comments, Mr. Maliki said violence against civilians had become a "daily phenomenon" by many troops in the American-led coalition who "do not respect the Iraqi people."

"They crush them with their vehicles and kill them just on suspicion," he said. "This is completely unacceptable." Attacks on civilians will play a role in future decisions on how long to ask American forces to remain in Iraq, the prime minister added.

...It was also a sign of the growing pressure on Mr. Maliki, whose governing coalition includes Sunni Arabs who were enraged by news of the killings in Haditha, a city deep in Sunni-dominated Anbar Province. At the same time, he is being pushed by the Americans to resolve the quarreling within his fragile coalition that has left him unable to fill cabinet posts for the Ministries of Defense and the Interior, the two top security jobs in the country.

The Sunni's crave instability because if they can use the Haditha events or others that are similar as propaganda against American troops, they can then fuel more discontent here in the states and thus a call for removal from a majority of the population.

If we leave, the Sunni's feel that they can again attain power and run the country again.

It's in this guy's best interest to stoke the fire and the media (especially the NY Times) are his willing accomplices.