A policy analysis from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy is urging the United States to prepare targeted sanctions against Iraqis blamed for stalling the disarmament of armed factions. The paper, carried by IraqiNews.com, names former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Hadi al-Ameri as figures Washington could hit with individual measures. Iraq's government has repeatedly promised to bring weapons belonging to armed groups under state control, yet the process has moved slowly. The think tank's argument is that financial and travel restrictions would raise the cost of sitting on the file. Former prime ministers and faction leaders rarely face such measures, so the recommendation amounts to an escalation in tone from Washington. There has been no public response from Baghdad so far. If the advice is taken up, the sanctions question will move from talk to concrete steps.