Is the policy we have adopted in Falluja the start of about the same policy as we have adopted in Kosovo and Afghanistan? Surrender most of the countryside to warlords and crime factions. Hold up in fortified bases- and prop up a "democratic government" that barely has authority within it's own capital city?
The Marines are well aware of the "strong village" concept of Viet Nam, that concentrated our forces into sitting ducks and took away mobility. The Marines are very decentralized and are trying to do more to create a light presence all over Al-Anbar province with a heavy, rapid response if there's a flare up. Our garrisons are intentionally numerous and small with lots of patrols, a big departure from the 82nd Airborne tactics before.