I don't mean to be contrary (and I will likely read Yon's book... it's in my queue
), but all my coworkers and I laugh when people (or new guys) say AQI 'controls' a city. Usually that simply equates, in real terms, that AQI has a presence there. In any city with any significant Shiite population at all (and no or limited US), JAM or a similarly organized group is usually the one providing security, the one that actually has 'control.' Most places, AQI guys can't move about freely during the day because they'll get shot. You don't much control a city if you can't walk outside, IMHO.
AQI tries their best, they set up checkpoints and flee when anyone with a gun approaches. They did have some tribes working with them for a few months, but they never had a viable claim of land or resources. The ONLY reason they still exist as a threat at all is because no one can secure the damned borders, so they continuously get resupplied and new manning. (yet another argument for put out sufficient troops or get out...)
I'm not contesting that AQI can pull of large scale attacks on civilians. I'm contesting that they're a threat to US forces, and that they are Al Qa'ida. So, if the reason we stay is 'to eliminate Al Qa'ida strongholds,' we can leave. In sincerity, as soon as we walk out the door, AQI will be completely eradicated.
If we want to win this ugly war, we need to pick a friggin goal and work toward it. If the goal is creating a peaceful prosperous nation, we're simply not going to be able to do it unless we take our efforts up about 10 notches. If our goal, as it's now stated, is to make sure that Al Qa'ida doesn't have a foothold... we never needed to stay.