A review by jackpando
The Gamble: General David Petraeus and the American Military Adventure in Iraq, 2006-2008 by Thomas E. Ricks

4.0

If you want a good explanation of one of the reasons Iraq has crumbled into more complete chaos since the US pulled out, I recommend that you read Thomas Ricks Fiasco and The Gamble. In his first book Ricks goes into detail about the failed logic and strategy in invading Iraq. In the Gamble Ricks describes to his readers the new strategy and almost unified front that the US takes from 2007-2008. Instead of focusing on crushing al Qaeda and insurgents, General Petreaus and other US military and politicians decide it is time they "protect the population." American troops began to patrol Iraqi streets on foot instead of in humvees, patrolled and trained Iraqi military and police, created an Iraqi militia, and paid Iraqi insurgents to fight for Iraq instead of receiving aid from al Qaeda or Iran. Ricks explains that while the tactics were successful in making Iraq a little more peaceful the over all strategy of having a stable Iraqi government was not as successful.

Further, Ricks has a way of making a presumably boring topic of military strategy and political rhetoric very interesting. He does this by really explaining the effects that every decision and meeting had on the outcome of the war in Iraq. Ricks is definitely one of my favorite authors.