Summary

Chapter 15: Iraq – Eric is in Iraq to see the beginning of the Surge, a dual effort of additional combat troops and renewed efforts at winning the hearts and minds of locals. Eric is assigned to track down Al-Qaeda leaders and operatives in Fallujah. Eric patrols in the day with Marines, and accompanies Army Rangers by night. They impress Eric greatly. By relying on locals, the effectiveness of the American forces is greatly increased. However, the taking and holding of detainees always causes problems due to jurisdictional issues and lack of a clear, stable judicial system. Likewise, many of the Iraqi forces treat their prisoners horribly and often arrest innocent people. Yet Eric knows that the Americans are not blameless in this because they fight alongside the Iraqi forces. Eric admits that not all choices in life are perfect, and that any...