The SWJ almost "got" this article for our Oct. edition - that said it had already been submitted to Foreign Policy and we were waiting to see if they published this most excellent work by Major Jim Gavrilis (USA) - so here it is and enjoy!

The Mayor of Ar Rutbah...

"Amid the chaos in Iraq, one company of U.S. Special Forces achieved what others have not: a functioning democracy. How? By relying on common sense, the trust of Iraqis, and recollections from Political Science 101. Now, their commander reveals the gritty reality about nation-building in Iraq, from the ground up..."