Hearts and Minds - US style
By Scott Taylor in Tikrit, Iraq
Saturday 29 November 2003, 12:41 Makka Time, 9:41 GMT

Excerpt from Aljazeera article.

As American troops exit the former Presidential Palace complex in Tikrit, the last thing they see emblazoned above the arched gateway is the Fourth Infantry Division motto: Strike First.

I asked my escort Specialist Jack Craig, a military policeman from Minnesota, how he correlated the "strike first" directive with the US military's current policy of attempting to win the "hearts and minds" of the local population.

Jack Craig: "Actually, I see 'hearts and minds' as a tactical doctrine. To me, it means that's where we should aim first," said Craig. "Shoot them in the body or in the head, but just make sure you shoot them first."

Interesting insight on how the US are winning the hearts and minds of Iraqi people?