GANNETT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL REPORT

About the report and its contributors

E-mail feedback

Watch and listen to a slide show narrated by Army Times photographer Lloyd Francis who is in Iraq capturing moments in the lives of Marines patrolling the streets of the Iraqi city of Ramadi.

Army Times photographer Lloyd Francis also taped a documentary video with interviews and footage of Marines on missions to root out insurgents. (Broadband recommended)

Gannett News Service photographer Bill Clark spent a week with Marines at Fort Polk, La., where they are trained to identify and fight insurgents in Iraq. See and read his photo essay.

Watch and listen to a slide show narrated by Army Times photographer M. Scott Mahaskey who has spent months documenting the war on insurgency though compelling images.

PART 1

U.S. relearning painful lessons in Iraq

By John Yaukey, GNS

American and Iraqi forces already are struggling with a full-blown insurgency that has cost hundreds of lives. If Iraq's Jan. 30 elections go badly and its political landscape falls into chaos, Americans will be facing a debacle that easily rivals Vietnam.

Communist leader Mao pioneered modern insurgency

Web sites answer questions about Iraq elections, insurgency

Map: Iraq's political landscape

PART 2

Marines battle hidden enemy with clear mission

By Gordon Trowbridge, Army Times

U.S. forces in Iraq constantly confront enemies hiding among innocents, and innocents stumbling into a fate they don’t deserve. It's a war often fought in seconds with some of its most important decisions made by young privates, not generals.

Uncertainty, frustration rule in fight against insurgents

PART 3

U.S. path out of Iraq: Hand off insurgency to local security forces

By John Yaukey, GNS

As Iraqi security forces gain confidence, the Pentagon will gradually scale down the U.S. force size. The hope is that this will reduce U.S. casualties, lower the American profile in Iraq and start reassuring Americans that there is an end in sight.

Insurgencies have worrisome record

Spouses spend their time waiting, worrying

Chart: Insurgent attacks

Chart: Iraq poll results