The story: After a lull in tensions over the recent Shiite religious holiday of Arbaeen, the head of the Sadrist Movement is hinting at renewed escalation in Iraq. This comes as Muqtada Al-Sadr’s Shiite rivals have re-endorsed their prime minister candidate, Muhammad Shia’ Al-Sudani—the same move that sparked a Sadrist storming of the Iraqi parliament in late July. A high-ranking delegation is expected to visit Sadr amid hints of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi remaining in office possibly averting a crisis.

The coverage: Sudani is a former member of the State of Law bloc, which is led by ex-premier Nouri Al-Maliki (2006-14)—Sadr’s longtime foe...