Basra

What? Some of the police in Basra are corrupt? Why is it a new concept to have a police force that is loyal, disciplined and trustworthy? And don't get me started on Sharia law.

The British have their own history in Ireland. Peter Hart's first chapter in "The IRA at War 1916-1923 offers these key lessons:

- violence and corruption are more than just a straightforward matter of strategy and tactics
- think in terms of an ethnic power struggle...a many-sided struggle
- geographical distinctions can be misleading
- focus on relationships
- at least two distinct blocs will make incompatible claims over the control of the state
- the outcome entails a definitive transfer of power
- mobilize the public and support a public counter response to corruption and violence, ie encourage wide spread popular support for anti corruption measures
- analyse the elites to determine why they are alienated or divided
- recruit women - they are a huge new source of organizational energy
- electoral democracy is vital
- the corruption in the police force is based on objectives, determine what is achieved from it
- violence is coercive and traumatic and subverts rational decision-making and political choice - a little psychological insight there!

But if there is only one objective that can be comprehensively achieved, it should be - follow the money. That's why the ruthless and clever Michael Collins was made Minister for Finance during the period in question. I'd start with their city governor.