Tribal Leaders Turn Against al-Qaida

We know insurgencies have always thrived when they had local support. Without local support they would wither and die.

If the insurgencies lose in Iraq the United States will take the credit for the victory. However the real victors will be the local people who refused to support al-Qaida and other militants.

Success in Anbar province is due to the local tribal leaders refusing to cooperate with al-Qaida.

If the local tribal leaders can defeat al-Qaida, why can't we?

If the local tribal leaders can decide the fate of their provinces, why are we there? Why am I forced to spend my hard earned money on an unnecessary and illegal war?

Charles Tolleson
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"I am optimistic on the security side because of what I see in al-Anbar, and what we're seeing in some of the other provinces where we're getting some cooperation," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.

"Military commanders have attributed the decline in violence in Anbar to successful efforts working with local tribal leaders who grew sick of the insurgency-spawned bloodshed and turned their backs on al-Qaida. As a result, the military has been trying to duplicate those efforts in other parts of the country." Associated Press