Riding the "Strong Horse"

Good news is coming from Iraq -- not that you'll see it in most of the MSM:

In the aftermath of America's recent troop surge in Iraq, tribal leaders throughout this country are turning on Al Qaeda, and American military commanders are trying to exploit the new development by bringing tribe members into the Iraqi Security Forces.

For those officers overseeing the new tribal diplomacy, signs are emerging that Iraq's deepest social networks — its tribes — are withdrawing their tacit acceptance of Al Qaeda and are becoming more willing to cooperate with American authorities to combat the terror network.

The linked piece goes on to note that these developments are still in the early stages, but they have been inspired by military successes in the Anbar provinces and elsewhere. Obviously, it's helpful when Americans look like the "strong horses," rather than sending constant signals of irresolution and weakness.