In late 2003, five Military Intelligence Soldiers were tasked to track the radical firebrand Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. These Army Reservists followed his moves through the streets and back alleys of Kufa and Najaf, they reported the activities of and the growing influence of his 'Mahdi Army' as they slowly but deliberately encroached on the local governments for control of the prized Imam Ali shrine, and the millions of dollars worth of gold and currency that laid therein. Lieutenant General Ricardo S. Sanchez personally followed the progress of this small group of Soldiers, looking for clues of Sadr's intentions and how it would affect the Coalition and the rest of Iraq. For the next six months, debates raged from the Green Zone to the corridors of the Pentagon, and even to the Oval Office of the White House: what should be done with Muqtada al-Sadr? Now for the first time, the ground truth is revealed about how America let Iraq's most dangerous man raise an army, fight the Coalition-twice-and then slip through their fingers to escape to Iran, where he is being groomed to become Iraq's next Ayatollah and awaits the time to return and claim Iraq for Iran.

In late 2003, five Military Intelligence Soldiers were tasked to track the radical firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. These Army Reservists followed his moves through the streets and back alleys of Kufa and Najaf, they reported the activities of and the growing influence of his Mahdi Army as they slowly but deliberately encroached on the local governments for control of the prized Imam Ali shrine, and the millions of dollars worth of gold and currency that laid therein. Lieutenant General Ricardo S. Sanchez personally followed the progress of this small group of Soldiers, looking for clues of Sadrs intentions and how it would affect the Coalition and the rest of Iraq. For the next six months, debates raged from the Green Zone to the corridors of the Pentagon, and even to the Oval Office of the White House: what should be done with Muqtada al-Sadr? Now for the first time, the ground truth is revealed about how America let Iraqs most dangerous man raise an army, fight the Coalitiontwiceand then slip through their fingers to escape to Iran, where he is being groomed to become Iraqs next Ayatollah and awaits the time to return and claim Iraq for Iran.

This is the first book about Muqtada al Sadr, the most important political figure in post-occupation Iraq. Muqtada has become the kingmaker of Iraq and a force that is indispensable to any Iraqi government: the Mehdi Army, his devoted militia, now rules half of Baghdad. Far from being the 'firebrand cleric' portrayed in the western media, he is an astute and experienced politician who struggles to lead an anarchic mass movement that he only half controls. In a compelling narrative, award-winning war correspondent Patrick Cockburn charts the rise of Muqtada, and has written an essential book for our understanding of Iraq's future. Cockburn has reported from Iraq since 1977, often at great personal risk, and Muqtada al Sadr and the Fall of Iraq combines first hand accounts of his investigations with vivid and dismaying descriptions of the civil war that is tearing the country apart.

A portrait of the formidable Shiite figure who has been predicted to be a future leader in Iraq, this book describes his rise from a resistance fighter, the assassinations of his family members, and his frequent confrontations with the American military.

Fox News military analyst Colonel Hunt draws on his 29 years of active military service and his high-level military and intelligence contacts to give an inside perspective on this global struggle, setting him far apart from the usual pundits and talking heads. He presents fifty pages of previously unpublished documents that reveal the detailed plans of the terrorists and insurgents who target Americans, as well as U.S. tactics to stop our enemies. From the Department of Homeland Security ("Scrap it.") to military leaders who have almost zero combat experience, to risk-averse, politically correct strategic decision-making, Colonel Hunt pinpoints dire problems that need to be fixed before it's too late (which it nearly is).--From publisher description.

In late 2003, five Military Intelligence Soldiers were tasked to track the radical firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. These Army Reservists followed his moves through the streets and back alleys of Kufa and Najaf, they reported the activities of and the growing influence of his Mahdi Army as they slowly but deliberately encroached on the local governments for control of the prized Imam Ali shrine, and the millions of dollars worth of gold and currency that laid therein. Lieutenant General Ricardo S. Sanchez personally followed the progress of this small group of Soldiers, looking for clues of Sadrs intentions and how it would affect the Coalition and the rest of Iraq. For the next six months, debates raged from the Green Zone to the corridors of the Pentagon, and even to the Oval Office of the White House: what should be done with Muqtada al-Sadr? Now for the first time, the ground truth is revealed about how America let Iraqs most dangerous man raise an army, fight the Coalitiontwiceand then slip through their fingers to escape to Iran, where he is being groomed to become Iraqs next Ayatollah and awaits the time to return and claim Iraq for Iran.

Nicolas Pelham explores how America's overthrow of the Baath partyin Iraq, and the failures of Washington's post-invasion regime spawned a Shiite revolution in the heartland of the Arab world. Through first hand accounts from Saddam's rule to that of the post-Bremer rulers, he traces the turning of the tables from a Sunni- to Shia-led state. Pelham recounts how Shia clerics led the largest protests the region had seen since the Iranian Revolution to topple Paul Bremer, America's Shah in Iraq. As Washington struggled to back peddle, Pelham reveals how the Ayatollahs' drive for elections won power for their acolytes to draft the constitution for a utopian Shia state.

Combines military operational insight with rigorous analysis

“What does it take to fly and fight with America’s Air Cavalry? That’s the story of Cowboys Over Iraq. You’ll meet bold personalities right out of a Hollywood movie. You’ll be right there as Jimmy Blackmon and his fellow Cavalry troopers track down and tangle with determined foes. You’ll experience the highs of triumph and the lows of bitter loss. Most importantly, you’ll see how and why Jimmy Blackmon learned hard-won leadership and battle lessons in the deadly skies of Iraq. Strap in. Hang on. Get ready to go hunting with the Air Cav.” —Daniel P. Bolger, Lieutenant General, U.S. Army, Retired, Commander, 1st Cavalry Division 2008-2010 “A great read by an exceptional combat aviator, leader, and writer! Jimmy Blackmon captures brilliantly the enthralling story of the air cavalry unit that was the eyes and ears of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during the fight to Baghdad and throughout the first year in Iraq – when I was privileged to command the division. He captures vividly, as well, the courage, skill, and feel for the battlefield of the gifted pilot and commander of the squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Steve Schiller, to whom we turned repeatedly when the missions were the toughest.” —General David Petraeus (U.S. Army, Ret.) commanded the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Multinational Force-Iraq, US Central Command, and coalition and U.S. forces in Afghanistan.