Iraq Has A Government

Good news. But, alas, the critical decisions have, even now, yet to be made. Money quote:

But the challenges facing the new government were obvious when al-Maliki was unable to make a final decision about the top three security posts: defense minister, who oversees the Iraqi army; interior minister, who is responsible for police; and minister for national security.
Al-Maliki, a Shiite, said he would be acting interior minister for now, and he made Salam Zikam al-Zubaie, a Sunni Arab, the temporary defense minister. Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh, a Kurd, was made acting minister for national security.
Al-Maliki hopes to fill all three posts with politicians who are independent and have no affiliation with any of Iraq's militias.

I'm glad to see some progress. But as sectarian violence intensifies, a real government will only be one where the militias and insurgent groups come under some kind of central control or even influence. So far: it's hard to be optimistic on that score.