The Strongest Tribe

Although the mainstream media has lost interest in reporting the story in Iraq, he told McCullough that he was able to walk without flak jacket or helmet nearly anywhere in the country without concern.

He stated that in his opinion, the Iraq War is now won; that through the tactics initiated by Gen David Petraeus the insurgency has been defeated and the Iraqis have taken back their country from the terrorists. He talked about taking the lessons learned in Iraq and transferring them now to other theatres, such as Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Strongest Tribe is his third book chronicling the Iraq War from Shock and Awe all the way through the low points of civil war in 2006, to today's relative peace.

Over a five year period, West was embedded with more than 60 American and Iraqi battalions. He was fiercely critical of L Paul Bremer and President Bush.

West served as a Marine officer in Vietnam. He watched as politicians in the United States pulled support from the South Vietnamese government, leading to that nation's collapse and the death of millions. He is dedicated to not allowing history to repeat itself.

In The Strongest Tribe he writes:

"Reducing the U.S. force in Iraq can be done prudently, as long as we don't promise a total withdrawal that signals America has given up. That makes no sense given the progress that has been made."

This book is a must-read.