IRAQ: A marriage of inconvenience

The Marines and the tribal sheiks are working at strengthening an alliance in Anbar province to keep the insurgency on the run.

At a sumptuous feast this week in Haditha, a tribal sheik revealed what he said was the perfect plan: The tribes would find additional wives for Marines, and the Marines would encourage American women to marry members of the tribe.

"This way we will truly be brothers," announced the sheik.

On behalf of the Marine Corps, Maj. Kevin Jarrard, commander of Lima Company, 3rd battalion, 23rd regiment, politely turned down the offer.

The sheik, anticipating the turndown, had a backup plan. He said he will name his next three sons after Marine officers.

—Tony Perry in Haditha, Iraq