This is excellent on-the-spot reporting by one of the most knowledgeable journalists in Iraq. The article is based on direct observation and sourcing and is free of slant or prejudice. The key facts are presented and there are no personal opinions injected by the author. His first-person sourcing is summarized in the final quote: "In fact, more and more meetings in Iraq are turning to day-to-day business, and less time is required on military and security topics like targeting and addressing intelligence-type matters, which until recently monopolized most meetings across Iraq."

Michael Yon's "Online Magazine" is a euphemism for a BLOGG. Read the article and note that it's responders accept his quotes from the interview with Sheik Omar Jabouri, a leader of an Iraqi faction, without the slightest skepticism and laud Yon for his dubious, onesided report - - that "Al Queda in Iraq - - ". Hold IT ! Wait, for just a second here. The term "Al Queda in Iraq" is an invention of Bush administration fearmongers and Iraq occupation triumphalists that has been trumpeted by the media and by now has presumably gained the status of "truth". We've been expecting this kind of "news" to appear ever since it has been so happily reported that Iraqi deaths have descended by 50%. We have been constantly lied to by the Bush ... More »

Who is Sheik Omar and who are the Jabouri? The point of this whole article rests on the authority of Sheik Omar and his tribe, yet little to nothing is mentioned to support his opinion as more valuable than others. I’m not disagreeing with Sheik Omar’s announcement — just asking for support for the article’s thesis.