PING
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
WOW this is historic!
The Left will shift their public handwringing from the “civil war” to how bad the elected government is, how the US has failed to supply water and electricity, how the sewage stinks, how hot it is, in short, any runner-up issue to the issue the were riding, that is until the Surge started getting real traction.
In return for the activation of these clan militias, they are being paid and armed. Many have previously fought against us and killed our soldiers.
It is a devil's bargain and we will have to continue money and logistical support. It will also provide the security needed for local building projects and civic improvements.
If this end-run cooperative campaign can survive for a few years and we don't pull out, it may work to pacify most of Iraq outside of Baghdad.
These agreements won't work in sunni/shia mixed areas like Baghdad, only where a local militia has recognizable boundary to exert authority.
It is further indication of the weakness of the central government, general failure of the police force and need for ethnic/religious segregation.
PING