Nir Rosen, a freelancer who speaks Iraqi-accented Arabic, has reported from some of the country's most dangerous locales. He has listened to the insurgents, and he knows that they will never rest until the Americans are gone. Since the fall of Saddam, Rosen has heard the double messages--the careful English messages for Western ears and the unvarnished hostility in Arabic--and he has interviewed politicians and imams and seen how the insurgents and gang leaders create militias, private courts, prisons, security services, and more.

Includes index. Arabic collection.

Cast of characters -- Introduction -- The triumph of the martyrs: April, 2003 -- The new Mongols: Summer-Fall, 2003 -- If they're not guilty now, they will be next time: Fall, 2003 -- Iraq v. Iraq: Spring, 2004 -- The heart of the insurgency: Falluja, Summer, 2004 -- The rise of Zarqawi: Fall, 2004 -- Elections: January, 2005 -- Afterword -- Glossary.