Tools of US democracy in Iraq

"Think also of the Awakening forces initiative; tribal militias who used to fight the coalition alongside al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) ended up eliminating AQI after being paid and armed by the US to do so. Awakening members are now supposed to be funded by the Iraqi government, but complain about the government's failure to pay their wages. Although they are unlikely to re-join AQI, discontented former insurgency members have already proven in the past what they are capable of doing, particularly with the help of the Sunni extremist/Baathist safe havens and networks across the borders." (thanks Dina)