The Gamble charts the strategic change in direction the US military took in Iraq under the Generalship of Patreaus and Odierno. The strategy was known as 'the surge' and was sold that way politically to the American people who were by that time sick of the Iraq war and its mismanagement. By 2006 the Bush Administration had been tuned out politically by the population after ballots were cast throwing out Republicans from Congress and the Senate. This actually gave political cover for the surge where all of the US reserves were thrown into Iraq for the new strategy.

Outside of its political sell, 'The surge' is the locating of American troops amongst the population rather than in big operational bases out of town, and the protection of the Iraqi population form violence; whether from Al Queda in Iraq or Militia (Shia or Sunni). The violent groups were bought off were necessary in order to reduce civil violence. Once the Iraqi population became comfortable that the American troops were not leaving they started to give more information to American troops.

It appears from a military point of view the surge has worked in dampening violence. Where it hasn't worked is politically. The Iraqi government is still dysfunctional and only Kurdish politicians enjoy the popular backing of their constituents. It also appears from the book that the surge managed to reduce levels of violence to how it was in 2005; which is still pretty high. There also remains the issue of the Sons of Iraq - former Sunni militia's - being on the US payroll and what will happen when they are no longer receiving US cash.

I can respect the courage of Patreaus and Odierno in implementing this strategy despite the support back home being minimal for it. You get the feeling they wanted to do things right and complete their task. They did downgrade the objectives from the ridiculous neo-con and Bush Administration claims such as Iraq being a beacon of free-market democracy in the Middle East and a new Israel.

I can also respect the courage of US military commanders who came back to Iraq on their third and fourth tours and asking themselves how they can improve the situation without losing one hundred men in the process, like they had with the clean and hold strategy.

There are other downsides as well, most of the ethnic cleansing had already occurred in many neighbourhoods by the time the surge started. Iraqi's through passive government pressure and in genuine fear for their lives had already fled the country. Once full neighbourhoods were filled with only 20% of the original population. It is horrific the chaos we have wrought there because of the failed Bush Administration policies. For instance Shawn Brimley is quoted as saying:

In many ways the entire war was a huge gamble, risking America's future power and prestige on a war that, at best, is likely to be inconclusive.

It has meant that the US is stuck in Iraq and will be for a long, long, long time. What a mess, but that isn't really the focus of the book. The book is about the courage of US military generals going around the normal power channels such as the Pentagon and White House, and devising a strategy to dampen the chaos in Iraq and give the room for political advancement in Iraq. That they succeeded in. For those insights, competency and persistence they, and the US military should be thanked.

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