[Zeebadee]

Here it is, in a nutshell (from the above link):

"U.S. commanders are offering large sums to enlist, at breakneck pace, their former enemies, handing them broad security powers in a risky effort to tame this fractious area south of Baghdad in Babil province and, literally, buy time for national reconciliation."

In the very best traditions of the U.S., throw money at the problem. If we can't beat them down on the battlefield, we'll simply buy them. Of course, our "leaders" don't call it that.

"American generals insist they are not creating militias. In contracts with the U.S. military, the sheiks are referred to as "security contractors."


These guys are going to be our "friends" for only as long as the money keeps coming in, or until it benefits them more to turn against us.