Finished off my Understanding Anbar series with the perspective of several Iraqi generals who were interviewed by the US Marine Corps in 09. All served under Saddam and some got jobs post-03 as well with new ISF. Their description of Anbar after the U.S. invasion parallels today's situation. U.S. made mistake after mistake that alienated the population and helped lead to the insurgency. Then Al Qaeda in Iraq abused Iraqis and Anbar decided to turn against them eventually with the Awakening. Similar to Maliki turning people against Baghdad, and now Islamic State carrying out many of the same tactics like executions and abductions of Iraqis that is turning tribes against them. Read more here.