British in Basra: Analysis and reading

Two interesting analysis reports on the British experience in Basra.

If you want to wonk hard, WINEP: The Calm before the Storm: The British Experience in Southern Iraq, and CSIS: The British Defeat in the South and the Uncertain Bush "Strategy" in Iraq.

Came across both in this brief summary blog post in the WSJ's Washington Wire. (I'd start there.)

Later: Another look from the LATimes via ThinkProgress.

Also: Michael Hirsh in Newsweek outlines the realities of the Petraeus plan. (Short version: It's a complete starting over of "inkspots," "strategic hamlets," or whatever you want to call it that will last ten years and dispenses with the fallacy that the Iraqis are in the lead.)