This paper examines how and why the American military helped create and exacerbate the current insurgency in Iraq and the actions it has taken since summer 2004 to address perceived operational and tactical errors. Of key importance in this process of reform were the influence of the British and their articulation of a plan which has exerted a strong influence on subsequent political and military operations within Iraq. Whilst the paper generally supports the counterinsurgency plan that is currently being implemented it identifies a series of challenges that could cause this strategic solution to unravel.