Al-Anbar Awakening: Volume I - American Perspectives, U.S. Marines and Counterinsurgency in Iraq, 2004-2009, Blackwater, Fallujah, al-Qaeda, Counterinsurgency, Ramadi, Turning the Tide

Part one of this two-volume anthology of interviews tells the story of the al-Anbar Awakening and the emergence of al-Anbar Province from the throes of insurgency. It presents the perspectives of both Iraqis (volume two) and Americans (volume one) who ultimately came to work together, in an unlikely alliance of former adversaries, for the stabilization and redevelopment of the province. The collection begins in the 2003-2004 time frame with the rise of the insurgency and concludes with observations from the vantage point of early-to-mid 2009.

The anthology demonstrates that there is not one history of the Awakening, but several histories intertwined. It is not a complete collection, but one that provides a broad spectrum of candid, unvarnished perspectives from some of the leading players.

The American volume focuses on the roles and views of U.S. Marines, who were the primary Coalition force in al-Anbar from spring 2004 onward. At the time of their arrival, many military experts considered the province irredeemable. This collection chronicles the efforts of the Marines, and the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and civilians who worked with them, to consistently employ counterinsurgency tactics and to continue to reach out to the Iraqis during even the darkest days of the insurgency.

2004 Marine Deployment to al-Anbar and the Rise of the Insurgency * Preparing for Counterinsurgency * Major General James N. Mattis * Commanding General, 1st Marine Division * U.S. Marine Security and Stabilization Operations * Lieutenant General James T. Conway * Commanding General, IMEF * The Indirect Approach: Engaging the Tribes * Colonel Michael M. Walker * Commanding Officer, 3d Civil Affairs Group * Fallujah - The Epicenter of the Insurgency * Lieutenant General John F. Sattler * Commanding General, I MEF * Operation al-Fajr and the Return to Security and Stabilization Operations * Major General Richard F. Natonski * Commanding General, 1st Marine Division * 2005 Stabilization and Elections * Targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq * Major General Stephen T. Johnson * Commanding General, II MEF (Forward) * Setting the Conditions for a Turn * Brigadier General James L. Williams * Assistant Commanding General, 2d Marine Division * Intelligence Assessment in Late 2005 and 2006 * Major Alfred B. Connable * Foreign Area and Intelligence Fusion Officer * 2006 Counterinsurgency and the Roots of the Awakening * The Shift to Counterinsurgency * Major General Richard C. Zilmer * Commanding General, I MEF (Forward) * Enabling the Awakening, Part I * Brigadier General David G. Reist * Deputy Commanding General, I MEF (Forward) * Enabling the Awakening, Part II * Brigadier General Robert B. Neller * Deputy Commanding General, IMEF(Forward) * Partnering with the Tribes in Ramadi * Colonel Sean B. MacFarland, USA * Commanding Officer, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, U.S. Army * Counterinsurgency in Central Ramadi, Part I * Lieutenant Colonel William M. Jurney * Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines * Counterinsurgency in Central Ramadi, Part II * Major Daniel R. Zappa * Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines * 2007 The Awakening Turns the Tide * Turning the Tide, Part I * Major General Walter E. Gaskin Sr. * Commanding General, II MEF (Forward) * Turning the Tide, Part II * Major General John R. Allen * Deputy Commanding General, II MEF (Forward) * 2008-2009 Transition to Iraqi Control * Transition to Iraqi Control, Part I * Major General John F. Kelly * Commanding General, I MEF (Forward) * Transition to Iraqi Control, Part II * Major General Martin Post * Deputy Commanding General, I MEF (Forward) * Transition to Iraqi Control, Part III * Mr. James V. Soriano * Provincial Reconstruction Team Leader * U.S. Department of State * Transition to Iraqi Control, Part IV * Ms. Carol J. Wilson * Al-Anbar Provincial Representative * U.S. Agency for International Development