There have been numerous implications that it was not the "surge" that won the war, but the Anbar Awakening and the Shia/Mahdi ceasefire. In fact, some have gone so far as to insist that such political and security gains would have been made without any troops at all and faster, too.
The history of the Anbar Awakening says differently. In fact, while it was slow going throughout 2005 and 2006 to contact any Sunni tribes or get them to turn, like in many wars, the momentum shift comes when the enemy makes a mistake and his opponent quickly recognizes it, organizes and takes advantage of that mistake. That is how Anbar was won.
Before we get there, if you can watch, listen to Greyhawk of Mudville Gazette narrate: Anbar Rising. [read script if unable to watch, though videos are highly recommended]
Anbar Rising Part I
Anbar Rising: Part II
Battle of Sufia
Now read Anbar Awakening: The Tipping Point
Read it all. That is how we won Iraq.
The history of the Anbar Awakening says differently. In fact, while it was slow going throughout 2005 and 2006 to contact any Sunni tribes or get them to turn, like in many wars, the momentum shift comes when the enemy makes a mistake and his opponent quickly recognizes it, organizes and takes advantage of that mistake. That is how Anbar was won.
Before we get there, if you can watch, listen to Greyhawk of Mudville Gazette narrate: Anbar Rising. [read script if unable to watch, though videos are highly recommended]
Anbar Rising Part I
Anbar Rising: Part II
Battle of Sufia
Now read Anbar Awakening: The Tipping Point
On 25 November, 30 to 40 gunmen in cars drove into the Albu Soda tribal area and began murdering members of the tribe. AQIZ forces took the tribal militiamen attempting to defend their homes by surprise, killing many while looting and burning their homes. A group of civilians fled in boats across the Euphrates River and reached an Iraqi Army outpost where they breathlessly described what was happening. The IA battalion relayed the information to our brigade TOC, where the operations staff reallocated ISR platforms and immediately called for Captain Patriquin to provide an Iraqi account of the situation.
Within an hour, had gained an understanding of the situation through phone calls to the local sheiks. The brigade headquarters quickly made a crucial decision—we would support the Albu Soda tribe in defending itself. BCT commanders and staff cancelled a planned battalion-sized combined operation in east Ramadi that was just hours from execution.
The battalion commander who was responsible for that area, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Ferry of 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry (Manchus), quickly diverted his force away from the planned operations to assist the Soda tribe in defending its homes.
Read it all. That is how we won Iraq.
Of course -- the political dialectic demanded it! In fact, it would have happened even if we *didn't* invade Iraq!
/channeling Obie
*rattle empty can with marble inside*
Yep! completely empty.
Or is that a circle jerk? LOL