U.S. Uses Diplomacy in Hunt for Insurgents

31 Dec. Associated Press - U.S. Uses Diplomacy in Hunt for Insurgents.

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... U.S. military units across Iraq often rely on the personal touch in hunting for clues about insurgents, sitting down to sip tea with locals and building a rapport with tribal leaders...

For many of the soldiers, the transition from warrior to diplomat has been challenging. It requires them to put down their guns to shake hands with informants. Instead of kicking down doors, they more often knock.

The tactics are a stark change from earlier missions for the 101st Airborne Division, which deployed to Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States, and then came to Iraq to help coalition forces drive north into Baghdad during the 2003 invasion.

Lt. Col. Jim O'Brien, commander of the division's 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, said on the visit to Bujwari that soldiers must adapt to multiple roles while a full-fledged counterinsurgency operation continues...

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