Not a war, but wars

NBC News' Baghdad correspondent Richard Engel has a story in Nieman Reports that is not to be missed: Misperceptions of the 'War' in Iraq. It gives an historical and cultural persepective to understanding what's going on in Iraq that you rarely find.
From the report:

The war in Iraq is not what it seems. In fact, there is no "war" in Iraq—there are many wars, some centuries old, playing out on this ancient land. But this is not what Americans are often led to believe.
...U.S. politicians and military commanders often complain that the Iraqi government "won't step up and do its job." ... Perhaps the question should be, "Which job?" American soldiers often ask me when the Iraqis will "step up and fight for their own country." They are already fighting for their country.