Sadr is now OUT of the coalition government. That means the Mahdi army is now a freelance operation.  The timing also suggests that this is a planned withdrawal, which means that Sadr is making his move. 

This is not good news.  Meanwhile, Nero plays petulant word games with the father of an enlisted solidier.  (Seriously, is it that hard to say, in response to "I want my son home.", "that's what we all want?" What kind of character does that show?).

This is the worst -man- that's ever been in the oval office, at least in my lifetime.