Since the mainstream media has chosen to ignore this development almost entirely, I figured it was worth pointing out: last month was the least deadly for coalition forces in Iraq, since the invasion in early 2003.

While many have credited the troop surge with trouncing the insurgency and putting down an almost inevitable civil war, I believe this is misplaced. The tactical changes introduced by Gen. David Petraeus are, in my opinion, responsible for our recent victories.

(source: icasualties.org)

The new Counterinsurgency Field Manual (a printed version is also available) outlines this strategy in detail, but an abbreviated version goes like this: get the troops out of the Green Zone and onto the streets. Make them a permanent fixture in Iraqi neighborhoods. Show the citizens of Iraq that they will be defended against Islamist thuggary should they choose to cooperate with coalition forces.

It’s working.