Iraqi Sunnis after the Awakenings

"Mohammed Abu Rumman, a Jordanian journalist who follows the Iraqi Sunni scene very closely, has a fascinating article up at al-Hayat on recent developments there. It's a detailed, rich essay, which makes a few key points. First, Awakenings leaders seem to be uncertain about their future and about American intentions, with unpredictable ramifications - possibly moving them into the political process and integration into the state, possibly inflaming them against American 'betrayal'. Second, the emerging Sunni political scence is intensely fragmented, with a bewildering array of parties and movements competing rather than any coherent Sunni bloc. Is Iraq really entering a post-Awakenings period? What would that mean?

First, Abu Rumman leads with indications from sources close to the Iraqi Resistance that the Americans are abandoning the Awakenings, asking them to stand down in the face of the Iraqi armed forces. While some describe this as a betrayal, the prominent Sahwa leader from the Islamic Army Abu Azzam al-Tamimi argues that it is a natural and appropriate response to changes on the ground. With the influence of al-Qaeda on the decline and the Mahdi Army on the run, he claims, the Awakenings are less needed for self-defence and now should pursue Sunni interests through other avenues - such as his own political party (see below)."
Abu Aadvark