Mike,

Have to disagree. There WAS no legitimate Iraqi government in Anbar to reinforce. The only power structure functioning (other than AQIZ) in 2006 was the tribal system.

CE Calwell articulated it well - I don't have the book in front of me but he basically said you had to work WITH the existing power structures (tribal or whatever) rather than against if you want any reasonable chance of success. External occupiers cannot change this effectively, and in doing so create chaos.

Unfortunately have to run.

Niel