Time magazine?s reports of back-channel talks between former regime, Sunni, and nationalist insurgent leaders and US officials?US diplomats and intelligence officers?on mechanisms for insurgents to demobilize in return for a political agency and power within Iraq?s political process would indicate a promising development in the Iraqi-US counter-insurgency campaign. Should the insurgents make the transition into politics, their remaining compadres would be dealt a significant blow and possibly develop debilitating fracturing dynamics.

Time reports that at least two meetings have taken place and have involved representatives of former regime, disaffected Sunni, and nationalist insurgent elements. Further, elements of the insurgent groups Mohammed?s Army , al-Nasser al-Saladin, the 1920 Revolution Brigades, and possibly the Islamic Army of Iraq have reportedly ?met to discuss forging a common political platform.? The insurgent political agenda is thought to include the establishment of a secular democracy for Iraq and a guaranteed timetable for the withdrawal of US troops.