I had just finished shooting a range with a group of Iraqi Sergeants when their Commanding Officer, Lt. Ala took hold of my right hand and pulled me close to him.

He had something important to tell me.

Just back inside some civilized wire (Camp Fallujah) and am reading Harry Reid's declaration then track back on the war in Iraq being lost.

The odd thing--is that I think there are parts of Al Anbar province where the war may be over and we just don't realize it.

The following post explains.

Tribal Mojo

Driving along the four-lane highway from Habbaniyah to Ramadi there are the usual coalition check points, Iraqi Army Outposts, markets, black market gas stations and Police Stations.

But, off the main highway, on the access roads leading back into the Euphrates canal country, every half mile, gun men wearing Keyfahs and wielding AK-47s man road blocks--and they are the best allies we can have against the jihadists.

Yesterday, at noon, I stepped off on a patrol with 3rd Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines.  Twelve Marines, four Iraqi Police officers and myself patrolled the village of Husabayh Jawal.

But I cannot eat in the chow hall at TQ.

The patrol base in Husabayh Jawal is so small it does not have a name, just a number---548.