What’s the most important thing Americans need to know about Iraq that they don’t currently know?

Military reporter Michael J. Totten is worth checking out weekly, if not daily. In one of his latest posts, he interviews 3rd Infantry Division Lieutenant Colonel Mike Silverman.

Here's the closing answer to the question posed in the title above:

“That we’re fighting Al Qaeda,” he said without hesitation. “[Abu Musab al] Zarqawi invented Al Qaeda in Iraq. The top leadership outside Iraq squawked and thought it was a bad idea. Then he blew up the Samarra mosque, triggered a civil war, and got the whole world’s attention. Then the Al Qaeda leadership outside dumped huge amounts of money and people and arms into Anbar Province. They poured everything they had into this place. The battle against Americans in Anbar became their most important fight in the world. And they lost.”

Also, Europeans want us to stay in Iraq. (thanks for the comment Charlie!)