The surge that worked was in the United States.

The 2006 elections weren’t kept secret from the Anbar tribal leaders. Nor was the general publication that Anbar would be lost. Nor were they unaware that their streets weren’t theirs.

With the prospect that a forthcoming withdrawal of US Military support was soon to occur, it seems that a turnaround in alliance would be in order for those Iraq citizens of Anbar. The simple order of events, that even a casual timeline would sketch suggests the probable shift occurred as the United States citizens changed their leadership in Congress.

Recall that last fall, as Anbar was turning, so too it seemed that the US was on the verge of recalling our military. In short, they would have been left to fend for themselves, and they wisely chose to enlist our material support.

It is easier to ally with a strong friend who will soon leave, than to remain frightened by an unwelcome tyrant intent on staying and forever changing your life. –Anbar