with only rare exceptions is supply our friends of the day with proper equipment. We try to give them either our castoffs (with a huge maintenance burden as well as a heavy learning curve) or our current issue items (same problem).

Giving the Iraqis M4s is not smart, giving them HMMWVs wasn't either. The AK family is far better suited for the human and environmental conditions in Iraq and for a vehicle, we could've gone right next door and funneled some money to someone who's at least borderline friendly...

LINK.