The Best Reporter In Iraq

Stereotypes about racist and psychotic Marines, as well as fanatical and psychotic Iraqis, can't survive a lengthy trip to Fallujah, at least not to the Fallujah of late 2007.

So writes Michael J. Totten in his latest dispatch from Iraq.

contempt for Iraqi culture specifically, and Arabs and Islam more generally, is far more prevalent in the American civilian population, even in liberal coastal cities, than it is among American soldiers and Marines who interact with Iraqis every day, forge sometimes intense personal bonds with Iraqis, eat Iraqi food,

In his interview with a Marine, we learn that fighting the insurgents has been good in a way for the U.S. Marines. It is forcing the Marines to be more flexible and adaptable in their fighting. It reminds me of the book 1776, which reveals how much more adaptable Washington's army was, compared with the British, who kept to their traditional methods of warfare.

Apparently Fallujah isn't such a bad place these days. To quote from the Marine:

don't think people really know what to expect from any of this,” he continued. “It's like people say: you only get the bad news on TV. They don't get to hear about how Fallujah is doing good now. I'm sure they'd hear about it if something bad happened. But these people are doing better, the schools are open, businesses are open, people are cleaning up their own city. They're starting their own neighborhood watch. They have their own police force now, their own government. People don't get to hear about that. I think that's important for people to know. You shouldn't focus so much on people who mess up. I mean, people have messed up. Bad stuff has happened. But you should focus on the percentage of people who are doing good as opposed to the percentage who are doing bad. There's a lot of good going on over here. And there's a lot of good people in this city.”

Totten's reporting is superb. If you have not read him, go here. You will not be disappointed.