How the West was Won (well, at least Ramadi)

[Gian P Gentile]

As to whether the Awakening would have been possible without the surge ....

As the timeline indicates, all the major muscle movements took place in August-November 2006. Well before the surge.

I appreciate you taking the time to write your experiences down. They are important and need to be heard, especially your sequencing of key events.

A couple of questions for you: Was the establishment of Cops necessary? Or was the necessary condition for flipping of the tribes the decision on Colonel McFarland's part to ally with them and in essence stop targeting tribal sunni insurgents and a reciprocation on their part to stop attacking CF? Did any of the tribal sheiks ever tell you that the Cops were necessary?

thanks

gentile