| In a Volatile Region of Iraq, U.S. Military Takes Two Paths
AL-FURAT, Iraq -- With a biker's bandanna tied under his helmet, the Special Forces team sergeant gunned a Humvee down a desert road in Iraq's volatile Anbar province. Skirting the restive town of Hit, the team of a dozen soldiers crossed the Euphrates River into an oasis of relative calm: the rural heartland of the powerful Albu Nimr tribe. Green Berets skilled in working closely with indigenous forces have enlisted one of the largest and most influential tribes in Iraq to launch a regional police force -- a rarity in this Sunni insurgent stronghold. Working deals and favors over endless cups of spiced tea, they built up their wasta -- or pull -- with the ancient tribe, which boasts more than 300,000 members. They then began empowering the tribe to safeguard its territory and help interdict desert routes for insurgents and weapons.
Bike experts reject ‘no helmet safest’ claim
Ian Walker, a traffic psychologist at Bath University, found on average motorists passed him 7cm closer when he was wearing a helmet than not wearing one. He recorded data from 2300 overtaking motorists and concluded that drivers gave more space to inexperienced and female riders. Critics of the research argue many bike accidents do not involve cars. Roleystone teenager Zac Christie, 14, broke his back in five places after falling off his BMX bike two months ago. Zac, who could have died had he not been wearing a helmet, will be released from hospital today. His mother Kathy Berzins said the discomfort of wearing a helmet could not compare to losing a loved one. Former cycling enthusiast Gerry Krygsman, 80, received multiple injuries after being clipped by another rider during a bike race almost a decade ago.
US military tries two approaches in Iraq's volatile Anbar region
FURAT, Iraq -- With a biker's bandan a tied under his helmet, the special forces team sergeant gunned a Humvee down a desert road in Iraq's volatile Anbar Province. Skirting the restive town of Hit, the team of a dozen soldiers crossed the Euphrates River into an oasis of relative calm: the rural heartland of the powerful Albu Nimr tribe. Green Berets skilled in working closely with indigenous forces have enlisted one of the largest and most influential tribes in Iraq to launch a regional police force -- a rarity in this Sunni insurgent stronghold. Working deals and favors over endless cups of spiced tea, they built up their wasta -- or pull -- with the ancient tribe, which boasts more than 300,000 members. They then began empowering the tribe to safeguard its territory and help rid desert routes of insurgents and weapons.
Paths to gaining ground in Iraq sometimes clash
AL-FURAT, Iraq -- With a biker's bandanna tied under his helmet, the Special Forces team sergeant gunned a Humvee down a desert road in Iraq's volatile Anbar province. Skirting the restive town of Hit, the team of a dozen soldiers crossed the Euphrates River into an oasis of relative calm: the rural heartland of the powerful Albu Nimr tribe. Green Berets skilled in working closely with indigenous forces have enlisted one of the largest and most influential tribes in Iraq to launch a regional police force -- a rarity in this Sunni insurgent stronghold. Working deals and favors over endless cups of spiced tea, they built up their wasta -- or pull -- with the ancient tribe, which boasts more than 300,000 members. They then began empowering the tribe to safeguard its territory and help interdict desert routes for insurgents and weapons.
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