Iraq is an artificial country -- an amalgam of Shia, Sunni & Kurds. So here's my solution: form cohesive battalions from each grouping and post those battalions away from home. Call it the "Roman Solution". A Kurdish soldier will be more effective in nailing down an area of Baghdad if he knows that the Bad Guys that he is operating against can't get to his family up in Mosul.
....plus the US Commander can always threaten the locals with the 'unleashing' of the Iraqi Battalions in his area.
Intersting concept. I hope Rummy is lurking.
Saddam already perfected that method.
Good solution.
Better solution - divide this "artificial" country into three states "officially" Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites. Install governors in each (by appointment or elections) then have a Federal City - Bagdad - for financial and judicial administration -made up of representatives from each state. Enlist reservists for security in each of those states - I think there will be more dedication and troop morale for a Sunni to protect his own from the foreign insurgents.
Works here!
Excellent suggestion. This was also the tactic used by the British in India: Hindu units in Moslem areas, Moslems in Hindu, both in Sikh.