In Iraq, a Perilous Alliance With Former Enemies

[thx1138]

washingtonpost.com

Their fighters had battled U.S. troops. Balcavage suspected they might have attacked some of his own men. The trio accused another sheik of having links to the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq. That sheik, four days earlier, had promised the U.S. military to fight al-Qaeda in Iraq and protect a strategic road. "Who do you trust? Who do you not trust?" said Balcavage, commander of the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division, his voice dipping out of earshot. An hour later, he signed up some of America's newest allies.

Here we go again, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

[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.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Zeebadee "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.

Yeah, these little deals are sure to bring nascent liberty and freedom to Iraqis.
Will these purchased people be called "National Guard and security forces?"

Grandpa h.