Getting tight with lraqi local goverment

We Americans have been trashing the Iraqi national government for ineffectiveness, corruption, sectarianism and halitosis. Plus spitting on the sidewalk and walking on the grass. But government here, and in Iraq is not all national, we have state and local, the Iraqis have tribal sheiks. When the national government is bollixed up, the sheiks seem to be able to make things happen. The Americans are figuring this out and getting in tight with these influencial Iraqis. This article by Michael Yon relates comments by Sheik Omar Jabouri, of Tribe Jabouri on the progress of the war. More interesting is the attention and respect paid to Sheik Omar by US Army commanders. I'm thinking the sheiks represent some lower level of Iraqi government, equivalent to US state or local government. which is effective, and joining our side. US Army officers are quite pragmatic and will deal with anyone who can get the job done. Maybe the key to getting the job done in Iraq is to get tight with the effective local leadership who seem to be tribal sheiks.