From no presence in the entire country before the invasion to the most significant in one province in only 3 years. Has to be beyond OBLs wildest dream. No one could have done it for them but Bush.

Devlin reports that there are no functioning Iraqi government institutions in Anbar, leaving a vacuum that has been filled by the insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq, which has become the province's most significant political force, said the Army officer, who has read the report. Another person familiar with the report said it describes Anbar as beyond repair; a third said it concludes that the United States has lost in Anbar.'

Can't control the capital, lost this province beyond regaining - after 3 years of controlling the country. Even a fool would change tactics.

One has to wonder - if the US is al-Qaida's target, wasn't the US better off without al-Qaida controlling one entire Iraqi province?

Arf