Michael Yon in his own words speaking on the situation in Basra, Iraq.

Michael was interviewed from Basra, Iraq as part of a segment entitled “The British Troop Drawdown: Can the Iraqis control Basra?” Also featured in this segment was Nic Robertson, CNN Senior International Correspondent, reporting from Baghdad. The October 13th broadcast of CNN’s “This Week at War” aired on Saturday at 7pm Eastern and was re-broadcast on Sunday, October 14th at 1pm Eastern.

If you have a moment the emails from Michael received by Glenn Reynolds are also worth a look.

This first deals in part with the above situation but the update I found very interesting:

Al Qaeda is in trouble in Iraq. The civil war that was growing in 2005, and then began erupting in 2006, is now on the decline. I was extremely worried during 2006 that al Qaeda would succeed by engulfing Iraq in civil war, but the Iraqis I speak with in various provinces are now smart about what AQI was up to. AQI tactics are backfiring — hugely backfiring. Strangely, al Qaeda, who nearly caused a complete meltdown, is becoming helpful in uniting Iraq. Strange world, Glenn!

How enlightening coming from one with eyes and boots on the ground.

*Please check out the new link to Michael Yon’s site on the sidebar and if you ever have a few extra minutes and have not read his previous work, it is well worth it.

Update: I neglected to mention Michaels latest dispatch “Achievements of the Human Heart” has been posted.