[Dean's World] Dave Price: Hearts and Minds in Anbar

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Posted by Dave Price:
Hearts and Minds in Anbar
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1168465094.shtml


   Bill Ardolino pens [1]one of the most interesting articles ever
   written from Iraq:

     Yusef: "Through my [experience as an enemy], the way I look at
     Americans, I look at them and feel like they are occupiers,
     occupying my country when the invasion happened. But when other
     parties showed up - especially the radicals and the Iranian
     militias, both who are not Iraqis - now I prefer the Americans.
     I've met [various Americans working for Fallujah]. It is my feeling
     that [they are] working hard, and (before I knew) you (Americans) I
     had a different image. Now that I know the Americans, I have a
     different impression. Now I deal honestly with them and feel they
     are really working for the benefit of my side."
     "I think the Americans are more for Iraq than the Iraqis
     themselves."

   The article also describes the insurgents' operation as remarkably
   mafia-like: extortion for money seems to be their primary modus
   operandi, suggesting Iraq has more of a massive law enforcement
   problem than a real insurrection.
   The article also makee clear that putting insurgents in prison
   temporarily is only serving to radicalize them to become bigger
   problems upon release -- it's like sending them to a terrorist
   indoctrination camp at U.S./Iraqi expense. The rules of engagement
   probably need to be altered such that either prisoners are jailed
   until Iraq is stable enough that the conflict is essentially over (as
   POWs would be kept until the end of a war), or the prisons need to be
   better managed so as to keep committed radicals separate from
   potential recruits.

References

   1. http://www.indcjournal.com/archives/002920.php