The sheikh was protesting the innocence of one of his tribesmen arrested a few days earlier by American soldiers. The US colonel listened politely but pointed out that the young man in question had been detained while driving a car which contained another young man who had fired at coalition forces. The second man was shot dead by the Americans, but the driver survived the encounter. ‘Why didn’t you shoot them both?’ the sheikh asked testily. ‘Then I wouldn’t have to come here on behalf of the man’s family and plead for his release.’

Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell didn’t reply. Russell is in charge of the 1-22 battalion of the Fourth Infantry Division. The ‘embedded’ media here in Tikrit usually accompany soldiers from this battalion when they go out on raids or patrols. Russell is a media-friendly, God-fearing soldier keen for the world to see what’s going on in his corner of the war, which happens to be Saddam’s hometown and environs.