U.S. Forces Using 2-Track Approach in Iraq

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4 Dec. Associated Press - U.S. Forces Using 2-Track Approach in Iraq.

The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq has adopted a two-track approach to bring peace - concentrating military forces on attacking foreign fighters while trying to persuade Sunni Muslims to join the political process, a U.S. general said.

Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, a senior coalition staff officer, told The Associated Press on Saturday that even though nationalists are the largest part of the insurgency, they are not the U.S. military's primary target.

We're focused on the terrorists and foreign fighters because they are the ones conducting the most horrific attacks and are the most ruthless in the pursuit of their objective, which is to derail the democratic process and discredit the Iraqi government, he said.

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5 Dec. New York Times - U.S. Forces Try New Approach: Raid and Dig In.

... For months, the military has been conducting raids in Anbar Province, the western desert region that has become a wellspring for the insurgency. But the taking of the youth center was one of the first steps in a new approach to taming the area: first sweep a town, then immediately garrison it and begin reconstruction - or what President Bush has called "clear, hold and build." Just as important, Iraqi forces are an integral component of the strategy.

The challenges are daunting: the quality of the Iraqi troops is still low, cooperation from local residents is scarce, and the insurgency, though damaged by the sweeps, remains strong. But by providing a continual security presence and improvements in the quality of life, the American command hopes to win support for the elected leadership and deny the insurgents the popular support they seek...