re: The negotiations in Fallujah don't make much sense
From a military standpoint they don't make sense but there was also a humanitarian element to the cease-fire.
Also the cease-fire came at the urging of the IGC. I think complying with their wishes shows the Iraqi people they have some control over the ‘occupiers’. It was a move that empowered the council and allowed them to demonstrate leadership.
Politics didn’t mix well in the Vietnam War but we have a different objective in Iraq.